re: LSU has had a live tiger since 1936. Why has he missed every game this year?

It's because our pussy arse handlers have no desire or even intention of putting that tiger in his cage. Ever. It is really that simple.

Load him up and get moving. State tax dollars paying his way. He's got to earn his keep.

You people have your priorities all mixed up. A tiger in a cage is nothing compared to an animal cruelty backlash for the university. Deal with it. It's the price you pay for having a live tiger as the mascot instead of dog, human mascot, or bird. It's really fricking cool and part of what makes LSU awesome, but the university can't just trade it in for a tiger that will get in the cage.

Everyone wants the tiger in the cage and some don't care about the animal when it comes to dollar signs. The university would have that tiger out there if it could.

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But it’s not that simple. Dr. David Baker, Director of the Division of Laboratory Animals at LSU who serves as the primary veterinarian for Mike the Tiger, was defensive—surly even—when asked why the 9½-year-old jungle cat hasn’t been going to games this year.

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he's surly on his good days

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You people have your priorities all mixed up. A tiger in a cage is nothing compared to an animal cruelty backlash for the university. Deal with it. 

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What's cruel about forcing animal into a cage for a hour 8 times a year? People put the fricking dogs into little bitty cages everyday and shove them into airplane cargo areas and fly them across the country in the dark. There would be very little backlash. The usual suspects would whine for a month or so then everyone would forget about it and it would be a non story. Hell, ESPN is already back to calling the Redskins the Redskins. You know why? Because nobody really deep down gives a frick. Just like deep down, nobody would give a frick about a tiger being put in a cage a few times a year foe an hour.

OK. I just said above that it must be someone's job to get Mike in the cage. I just saw the article in USA Today. It is someone's job. His name is Dr. David Baker. Who is David Baker accountable to. His feet must be held to the fire. This is not rocket science (although we probably do have rocket scientists on campus). If we can send a man to the moon, we ought to be able to get a tiger in a damn cage. Joe Aleva should get involved in this. What in the hell else does he have better to do on game day?

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But it’s not that simple. Dr. David Baker, Director of the Division of Laboratory Animals at LSU who serves as the primary veterinarian for Mike the Tiger, was defensive—surly even—when asked why the 9½-year-old jungle cat hasn’t been going to games this year.

he's surly on his good days

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Dr Baker takes his responsibilities very seriously and those include protecting the welfare of an animal he has been given the responsibility for. But yes, he has no detectable sense of humor. A slightly upturned lip is the equivalent of him rolling on the floor laughing uncontrollably

People do want to see Mike in Tiger Stadium but the days are over when the welfare of the animal is not given more serious consideration. Dr Baker is not a local emergency veterinarian. He's an accomplished individual with considerable seniority and peer respect (at least among those who don't detest his absence of humor).

The university also can not put itself in the position of giving someone responsibility for Mike's welfare and then fire him for doing what is in the interest of Mike's health. That exposes the veterinary care he is being provided with as a sham and no veterinarian who has obligated himself or herself to protect animal welfare should be ok with that. I think most qualified individuals, if asked to replace Dr Baker, would refuse because that treatment of Dr Baker shows no respect for their profession.

I really don't want him fired. I just want then ti trow a steak in the cage. I would like an explanation on how that is detrimental to his well being, other than he just doesn't like going in the cage.

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I would like an explanation on how that is detrimental to his well being, other than he just doesn't like going in the cage.

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you can measure stress in animals (and people) in negative situations. in minor stress you can see changes in blood pressure, heart rate, alterations in the numbers and types of white blood cells, and increases in hormones like cortisol.

a temporary stress that doesn't reoccur frequently is probably no big deal. but a significant stress which the animal has no control over and becomes fearful of should be considered a more serious threat to the long term health of a semi-wild cat like Mike. They are hoping he will grow through this and become more interested in participating again in the future but forcing him right now will probably have more negative health effects in the future and exacerbate his fear and stress associated with teh stadium.

To the other poster who asked about him being a football fan? He displays a knowledge of the program that I assume indicates him to be a strong supporter of the team. His poker face is such that you can't tell whether he's talking about his favorite food or his last bowel movement.