Photos Mike by: Madison Anderson The Tiger VII It pos Photoscon nonecatet and eatemlayout res by: deliqua Madison Anderson tibusandesStory dolore and nullabo.Layout Iquisquby: Madison iducia Anderson venistioritThis story lam highlights apersperum the history nes explabo and daily recus. life of LSU’s Omnitlive at Tigerfuga. mascot Loriam and what LSU is doing to help prevent the extinction and mistreatment of tigers worldwide. Mike VII was brought to LSU on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, after the death of Mike VI in 2016 from Ma tragic battle with cancer. Mike VII, formerly known as “Harvey,” is a one- year-old male Siberian-Bengal mix. He was donated to LSU from the Wild at Heart Wildlife Center sanctuary in Okeechobee, . The new mascot was graciously welcomed to LSU’s campus with a new and improved 15,000 square-foot tiger habitat. Jeremy Hargett, owner of Wild at Heart Wildlife Center, said “Harvey hit the tiger lottery” with his new home and that “he would never be able to afford a habitat like he has now at LSU. Most sanctuaries couldn’t afford that.” >>

The Tiger Athletic Foundation was were also donated from rescue facilities 3,900 tigers in the wild, and the species is in charge of the renovation funds rather than purchased, because LSU does increasingly becoming more endangered. and donated around $950,000. These not wish to support or encourage the idea At Mike’s first birthday party, held outside renovations included things such as: a of breeding tigers for money. Although of his habitat, President Alexander further comfort rock that uses glycol, allowing the some people believe that keeping a tiger explained that because of these statistics rock to stay comfortably cool in summer in a habitat outside of the wild is wrong, Mike is promised a better, longer and safer and warm in winter; new landscaping, there is factual evidence that proves Above: One renovation was the adition of life in his tiger habitat than he would have including turning the pole in the center of otherwise. In an interview with The in the wild. Joel Baines, Dean of the LSU a comfort rock that uses glycol, allowing the the habitat into a large tree; an expanded Daily , LSU President F. King rock to stay cool in the summer and warm in School of Veterinary Medicine, added water feature, motivating Mike to stay Alexander said, “Their lifespan in the wild the winter “there are more tigers in the United States active in all climates; as well as redoing is only seven years because of poaching than in actual tiger countries” due to Left and Below: Mike enjoys creeping the pool and fixing a few maintenance and black market issues, and here they habitats like LSU and sanctuaries like the up to visitors outside the glass,often issues. live anywhere from 12-17 years.” This jumping up and splashing if those turn their is significant because there are less than one Mike VII came from. >> backs against the glass Along with Mike VII, the past three tigers

Above: Mike eats 20 punds daily, so weekly he eats a total of 140 pounds Left: Mike “hit the tiger lottery” says owner of Wild at Heart Wildlife Center Right: Mike put on nearly 100 punds in his first 3 months at LSU The University hopes to use the presence opportunity for us to get people engaged To further help raise awareness and help aren’t lost to extinction. tigers from extinction. it feels like the world is crashing down of a live tiger mascot as a way to raise with saving tigers around the world.” Later save tigers in the wild, LSU has created on them or when they are drowning in awareness about the endangered species in his speech he told the crowd about his The LSU Tiger Conservation Fund. Tiger This campaign is part of LSU’s At LSU Mike the tiger is many things; he involvement in the U.S. Tiger University is a mascot, an educational opportunity schoolwork. His carefree and playful and the plight of tigers kept inhumanely plans “to utilize our research expertise and fans, and anyone else who loves and feels attitude is a great attribution to LSU’s worldwide. At Mike VII’s official our educational mission as an institution to an appreciation towards these majestic Consortium. Through the consortium, to raise awareness, but most of all he is a LSU has teamed up with the other “tigers” reason to smile. campus, and will continue to spread a welcome, President Alexander told the perhaps save on of the world’s best known animals, can contribute to the fund positive light across the campus for years audience that Mike is more than just a and most regal creatures on earth.” through the LSU Foundation and help of the SEC—Auburn, Clemson, and the Mike the tiger gives students at LSU a to come. ® University mascot, “he is an educational make sure the beloved tigers in the world —to help save wild sense of happiness and optimism when

Above: Mike VII is a 70% Bengal and 30% Siberian hybrid Tiger Below: LSU has had a live tiger mascot on campus since 1936 Left: Mike the tigers habitat has become one of the most visited vandmarks in the state of