re: How Can We Get More Action From Mike VI?

Mike's veterinary school caretakers let him go into his trailer at least once a day during the summer to get him used to it again. On game day, it is entirely up to him as to whether or not he goes into the trailer. If he does not load into the trailer, he will be let out into his enclosure for the rest of the day so people can still see him.

While we know how much it means to fans that Mike be in Tiger Stadium, we will never force him into his trailer. Wild animals are behaviorally different from domesticated animals like cattle and dogs. Though Mike was raised in captivity, he is still a wild animal. Unlike most domesticated animals, tigers respond poorly if at all to coaxing with food or other treats. When something is out of the ordinary tigers become extremely cautious; thus, food treats are ineffective motivators.

To suggest that we shock Mike in order to get him into the trailer is unbelievable! It is inhumane and would be ineffective. Tigers are very intelligent. Mike would recognize the shocking device and would adopt a defensive stance rather than enter the trailer. Also, attempting to shock him would result in a violent reaction that would endanger personnel as well as the tiger.

Mike VI was selected in part because of his confident, interactive nature. Considering the normally secretive nature of tigers, he is remarkably interactive with people and seems to enjoy his time in Tiger Stadium when he attends.

Loud music is played early near Mike’s habitat and this discourages him from loading. He is loaded well before kickoff because of the music and because crowds become too heavy to safely move his trailer through campus. Once in his trailer, Mike quickly relaxes. His behavior on the field clearly indicates that he is not stressed.

As for consulting with zoo or circus handlers, zoo personnel typically do not transport animals to sporting events, and many methods used to shift circus animals would not be considered acceptable to us.

As for "buying" a cub because it might be more "trainable," this is unacceptable. There are already too many tigers illegally held in the U.S. LSU will never buy another tiger and hasn't purchased one since Mike II. Mike VI came from a rescue facility and has a better home now.

Mike serves many purposes, only one of which is to “pump up” fans. He serves as a valuable reminder of the need for plant and animal conservation. He represents all that is good about LSU.

If you have questions about Mike's care or how the veterinary school works with him, please contact me directly at gguttner@lsu.edu or 225-578-9922.

Ginger Guttner
Public Relations Director
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine

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Loud music is played early near Mike’s habitat and this discourages him from loading.

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Sounds like Tiger One Village needs to cooperate then.

Mike can't load up when CowboyMouth is wailing away right next to him.

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If he does not load into the trailer, he will be let out into his enclosure for the rest of the day so people can still see him.

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In all honesty, if the option is for him to be in his enclosure on Gameday or in his trailer not to be seen until he is pulled into the stadium then I would definitely choose his enclosure.

People want to see the Tiger on Gameday running around and enjoying his habitat. This is much more important for me than having him in the stadium especially if he does not roar. Really wish yall could try to load him into the trailer later in the day.

If he doesn't go then fine....

Ginger,

I think you guys are doing an awesome job and while Mike may not make it to as many games as we would like, having him on campus is a treat! I brought my 2 1/2 year old to see him a while back and it was an unforgettable experience for him and for me. Keep up the great work and Geaux Tigers!

By the way, I can't imagine too many people were serious about the cattle prod suggestion. I would think those comments are just exaggerated frustration that Mike has not made it to as many games as some would like. I don't believe any real LSU fan would ever want to see Mike coerced into his trailer via tiger taser.

Mike V was the most successful mascot in LSU history. I wonder if the actual trailer was changed from Mike V, which no doubt would make Mike VI uneasy since Mike V was "daddy of all LSU Tigers.'' If a new trailer was purchased for Mike VI, then we're back to square one. However, if it's the same trailer, I believe Mike VI will always be nervous because Mike V sprayed it upon entry as he was loaded each Saturday. I'm wondering if each part of the habitat was replaced or just scrubbed.

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According to a recent article in the Advocate, his handlers have never heard him roar. They have been trying several new techniques to get him to load in the trailer but apparently, they aren't working too well. He made it to 6 games last year, as I recall. He won't make that many this year.

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I had no idea this was going on. They should drop a new tiger in his habitat and not put any food in for awhile. May the best Tiger win.

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He doesn't enjoy his habitat on game day - regardless - tigers are nocturnal

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I have seen Mike VI on a # of occasions running around his habitat on gamedays typically in the morning and then again in the early evening. When the weatehr cools down, he gets a lot more active.

I'm just saying the ends doesn't justify the means IMO if Mike has to be unavailable to the thousands of fans on gameday just so he can be in his trailer and paraded around the field for 15-30 mins.