How Mike's Tumor was Discovered

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Lindsey Clemones entered LSU’s live tiger habitat on April 30 to say goodbye to Mike the Tiger.

Clemones, along with fellow LSU Veterinary School student Trevor Davis, were selected as Mike’s student caretakers for the past two years, a coveted position that offers them daily access to the beloved mascot that most LSU superfans could only dream of.

With graduation upon them, they visited the famous feline from the inside of his habitat one last time. They opened the doors to let him into the night house and gave him his food. And as they bid their goodbyes, through protective bars, Clemones saw the swelling on Mike’s face.

“I was talking to him and looking at him, and I noticed he had a slight swelling that I hadn’t noticed before,” she said. “I called Dr. (David) Baker that night and said this was something we were really concerned about, and he took it seriously.”

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But for Clemones, the news has only made saying goodbye to Mike that much more difficult.

“We’re so close to him and he’s such a big part of our lives,” she said. “I knew my time at some point would come to an end with him, but it’s hard to hand that key over to the next caretaker and say ‘Here’s a key to the most important tiger in the world, and by the way, something is wrong with him.’ ”

Every two years, Baker personally selects Mike’s student caretaker team. Students apply and interview in pairs. “We don’t know what he’s looking for, and he won’t tell us,” Clemones said of the selection process.

Clemones and Davis were selected for the two-year job which is as demanding as it is prestigious.

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