gguttner

In 2007 (Mike VI's first season), he attended all but the first game (too hot); in 2008, he attended first 2 games but no others; in 2009, he attended all but one game (field was too wet); in 2010, he attended all but 2 games; in 2011, he attended every game; and in 2012, he's attended one game and missed 4 (2 because the field was too wet and 2 because he didn't load into his trailer). His veterinarian and veterinary student caretakers do not force him to load into his trailer (nor should they). They open the doors, and, if he feels like it, he loads into the trailer and goes to the game. On those days he doesn't go to the game, he's let out into his habitat so fans can see him there. If you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact me at gguttner@lsu.edu or 225-578-9922.

Ginger Guttner
Director of Public Relations
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine

In 1981, pranksters cut the chain to the outer door and the lock to the inner cage door of the enclosure, releasing Mike. LSU police called Dr. Bivin around 1:00 a.m. to tell him that Mike was in the middle of North Stadium Drive. He wandered into the Bernie Moore Track Stadium, where Dr. Bivin shot him with a tranquilizer pistol (it took three shots to sedate him). He was safely returned to his enclosure.

In April 1988, Moacyr Cezar, a disgruntled Brazilian who had come to Baton Rouge hoping to get a job with the LSU Athletic Department, took the keys from Mike's student caretaker and locked himself in the outer portion of Mike IV's enclosure (then, as now, there was double-fencing). He claimed to have a gun or a bomb. Campus and city police surrounded the enclosure; he continued making threats for five hours and finally surrendered. His "gun" was a water pistol and his "bomb" was a sack of books. He was arrested and later returned to Brazil.

These stories about Mike can be found in Dr. David Baker's book, "Mike the Tiger: The Roar of LSU." Dr. Baker is Mike's veterinarian. You may also contact me if you have questions about any of the Mikes. My number is 225-578-9922 and my email address is gguttner@lsu.edu.

Ginger Guttner
Director of Public Relations
LSU School of Veterinary Medicine

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

Mike V was introduced to LSU at a basketball game when he was four-months-old. The photos is in the book, "Mike the Tiger: The Roar of LSU" by Drs. David Baker and Sheldon Bivin.

Mike is absolutely a male tiger. This is evident if you go see him. LSU has never had a female tiger; they have all been male.