re: A BIRTHDAY WISH FROM MIKE VI

It all counts, of course. The Friends of Mike the Tiger campaign helped provide my habitat (as good as any in the world) at LSU, and I thank everyone who donated and bought bricks.

None of that money went to Great Cats. In fact, federal regulations prohibit any quid pro quo deals in transactions involving exotic endangerd animals. LSU could not pay Great Cats a dime for me. It was a straight up donation. In fact, when Rob and his family came down to see me the first season I was here LSU could not provide them with lodging or travel, but some fans raised some money and made it possible for them to come.

Truth is stranger than fiction sometimes. However, I do agree that the trade of animals like me should be regulated, otherwise there would be a lot more illegal and harmful trapping and selling of lions and tigers (and bears, oh my) but it's a little too stringent when you can't even do something legit like bringing the people who raised me to LSU to be honored.

Thanks again.