View source for Mike the Tiger

{{Short description|Mascot of Louisiana State University}}
{{Infobox College Mascot
| name = Mike the Tiger
| image = Mike VII.jpg
| image_size = 250
| caption = Mike the Tiger in tiger habitat
| university = Louisiana State University
| conference = Southeastern Conference
| conference_short = SEC
| description = [[Royal Bengal tiger]]
| name_origin = In honor of athletic trainer Chellis "Mike" Chambers
| first_seen = October 21, 1936 (89 years ago)
| related_mascots = 
| official_website = [http://www.mikethetiger.com Mike the Tiger]
|Current Tiger=Mike VII}}

'''Mike the Tiger''' is the [[mascot]] of [[Louisiana State University]] (LSU) in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]], and serves as the graphic image of LSU sports.  Mike is the name of both the live and costumed mascots.

By tradition the tiger is a live [[Bengal tiger]], although the current mascot and his two immediate predecessors are mixed-breeds. Mike V was a Bengal-[[Indochinese tiger|Indochinese]] mix, Mike VI was a Bengal-[[Siberian tiger|Siberian]] hybrid, and Mike VII is also a Bengal–Siberian mix.<ref name=Cooper>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/lsu-may-found-new-tiger-mascot-hes-cute-photo-151343693.html |title=LSU has found its new tiger mascot, and he's very cute |first=Sam |last=Cooper |work=Dr. Saturday |publisher=[[Yahoo! Sports]] |date=August 21, 2017 |access-date=August 21, 2017}}</ref>

LSU teams are called the [[LSU Tigers and Lady Tigers|Fighting Tigers and Lady Tigers]], with "Lady Tigers" used only for women's teams in sports that are also sponsored for men, and the university's football team plays its home games in [[Tiger Stadium (Louisiana)|Tiger Stadium]]. LSU first adopted its "Tigers" nickname in the fall of 1896.<ref>{{cite web|title=LSU History |url=http://www.lsu.edu/visitors/history.shtml |work=Official Webpage of Louisiana State University |publisher=Louisiana State University |access-date=21 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310182742/http://www.lsu.edu/visitors/history.shtml |archive-date=10 March 2009 }}</ref>  The moniker references [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] era military regiments; the [[Louisiana]] troops of [[Robert E. Lee]]'s [[Army of Northern Virginia]] became known as the Tigers during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] after two [[New Orleans]] brigades, the [[Louisiana Tigers|Tiger Rifles]] and the [[Washington Artillery]] (whose logo featured a tiger's head since 1838).<ref>Arthur W. Bergeron, Jr., ''Guide to Louisiana Confederate Military Units, 1861–1865,'' LSU Press (1996) {{ISBN|0-8071-2102-9}}</ref>

==History of Mike the Tiger==
===Mike I (1936–1956)===
Born on October 10, 1935, the first Mike was purchased from the [[Little Rock Zoo]] with money raised by collecting 25 cents from each LSU student for a total of $750. Originally named Sheik, the new mascot was renamed in honor of Mike Chambers, LSU's athletic trainer at the time, who was the person most responsible for bringing him to the school. (It was later discovered that "Sheik" may have been fond of his original name, because even years later, handlers could get him to roar just by calling "Sheik!") Mike assumed his duties as the living symbol of LSU only three days after arriving on campus on October 21, 1936. In the 1950s, Mike was kidnapped by [[Tulane]] fans before a Tiger-Green Wave football game. He was found, and returned safely in New Orleans—he and his cage had been sprayed Tulane green. The original Mike lived 20 years before dying of [[kidney disease]] in 1956. He has been displayed in LSU's Natural Sciences Museum in Baton Rouge.

===Mike II (1956–1958)===
A few days after Mike I's death, a resolution endorsing the purchase of another tiger was introduced in the Louisiana [[legislature]] and a fund was set up by LSU students to underwrite the cost. Mike II had a short but somewhat mysterious life. He was born on February 28, 1956, at the [[Audubon Zoo]] in New Orleans and was chosen because his paws were larger than those of the other cubs.<ref name="Roar">David G. Baker and W. Sheldon Bivin, ''Mike the Tiger: The Roar of LSU,'' LSU Press (2003) {{ISBN|0-8071-2888-0}}</ref> He was unveiled on September 29, 1956, during the opening game of the new football season. Legend has it that less than a month after his arrival at LSU, Mike II died of [[pneumonia]], at only eight months of age, during a six-game losing streak and that a second Mike II was secretly brought in as a ringer. To explain Mike's absence, and after much rumor, the LSU student newspaper, ''[[The Daily Reveille]]'', printed a statement that the young tiger needed time alone to adjust to his new home and position as mascot, with its attendant excitement. All rumors of Mike II's death and replacement were denied, and the school claimed that he had finally adjusted. On May 15, 1958, however, less than two years after his debut, Mike II (or his impostor) died at the Audubon Zoo due to pneumonia,<ref name="New Orleans Times–Picayune (p. 6)">{{cite web|title=Tiger Mike Died from Pneumonia|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/image/v2%3A1223BCE5B718A166%40EANX-12C2FF92B6A3F543%402436344-12BF1BB799F17C63%409-12C304F6C38A20C0%40?p=AMNEWS|work=New Orleans Times–Picayune (p. 6)|date=May 20, 1958}}</ref> while recovering from multiple fractures to his left rear leg.

===Mike III (1958–1976)===
Mike III was born on November 26, 1957, and arrived from the [[Woodland Park Zoo|Seattle Zoo]] just in time for LSU's [[1958 LSU Tigers football team|1958 National Championship]] football season. During Mike III's 18-year reign, LSU won three [[Southeastern Conference]] football championships (1958, 1961, 1970) and eight of 13 bowl games. Mike III died of old age in 1976<ref name="Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 1)">{{cite web|author=Clydene Weathersby|date=August 12, 1976|title=LSU's Mike the Tiger Mascot Dies of Old Age|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/image/v2%3A138FFE8785E79426%40EANX-13F5DAE619E373D3%402443003-13F5D1F8F6FB52C8%400-13F5D1F8F6FB52C8%40?p=AMNEWS&hlterms=%22LSU%27s+Mike+the+Tiger%22|work=Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 1)}}</ref> after the only losing LSU football season of his lifetime. The mascot's death affected the students and faculty so greatly that the vet at the time, W. Sheldon Bivin, said he would never allow another tiger to die on campus.<ref name="Mike">{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=2800755|title=Retirement plan: LSU's tiger Mike to take it easy|date=16 March 2007}}</ref>

===Mike IV (1976–1990)===
Mike IV, originally called Jerry, was born at [[Busch Gardens]] in [[Tampa]], [[Florida]] in 1974. He was donated by [[August A. Busch III]] and was two years old when he came to LSU in August 1976. One memorable incident involving Mike IV began in the early-morning hours of November 28, 1981 when pranksters cut the locks on Mike's cage. The tiger roamed freely for hours, attacked a small tree, and appeared to be enjoying himself before becoming trapped in the Track Stadium near his cage. Three tranquilizer shots later, the wandering mascot was returned to his home without further incident and awoke without ill effects.<ref name="Roar"/> Mike IV reigned for 14 years and retired in 1990 to the Baton Rouge Zoo where he lived until his death in 1995 at the age of 21, the oldest of the tigers serving as LSU's mascot.

===Mike V (1990–2007)===
[[File:Mike the Tiger 1.jpg|thumb|left|Mike V, December 2006]]

Mike V was considered to have the best personality of all the tigers that have served as LSU's symbol. Originally named Stevie, he was donated by Dr. Thomas and Caroline Atchison of the Animal House Zoological Park in [[Moulton, Alabama|Moulton]], [[Alabama]]. Born on October 19, 1989, the {{convert|7|lb|adj=on}} baby tiger was introduced to LSU fans at a basketball game in February 1990. In his 17-year reign, Mike V saw an LSU football team win another National Championship (in [[2003 LSU Tigers football team|2003]]) and received both a new trailer and a massive renovation of his enclosure.

In March 2007, Mike V officially began a three-stage retirement. His personal vet, David Baker, cited his age and health as reasons. Mike V retained his mascot status and lived in his on-campus habitat until his death.

Mike V died on May 18, 2007, at 2:23 AM, which coincided with the undergraduate commencement ceremonies. The cause of death was [[renal failure]].<ref name="katc.com">Mike won't make stadium debut this week {{Cite web |url=http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7103879 |title=Mike won't make stadium debut this week |access-date=2007-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121163833/http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7103879 |archive-date=2008-01-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{clear}}

===Mike VI (2007–2016)===
[[File:Mike the Tiger in water rfrmt.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Mike VI in water]]

After Mike V's death, [[PETA]] contacted the university and urged it not to replace him with a new tiger.

However, LSU chancellor [[Sean O'Keefe]] rejected PETA's request by stating that LSU would acquire a new tiger.  O'Keefe further defended LSU's decision by noting that four of the previous five Mikes lived to be at least 17 years, nearly twice the normal 8–10 year lifespan of tigers in the wild.  O'Keefe further explained that tigers were currently a critically endangered species in the wild, and any attempt to preserve them as a species would require some level of raising them in captivity, such as at LSU's veterinary school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=899272|title=LSU Response to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals}}</ref>

LSU did not wish to buy a tiger but instead sought for one to be donated to the school. On July 27, 2007, [[WBRZ]] ABC News 2 announced that LSU had located a tiger at Great Cats of (Idaville) Indiana, an Indiana-based large cat and carnivore rescue facility.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.nola.com/tpsports/2007/08/roscoe_arrives_could_be_mike_s.html|title=Roscoe arrives, could be Mike soon}}</ref>

[[File:Mike the Tiger VI.JPG|thumb|right|Mike VI]]

"Roscoe" arrived in Baton Rouge on Saturday, August 25, 2007, after a plane ride from [[Indiana]] and was kept quarantined in the "night house" in the LSU habitat, away from the public. On August 31, 2007, LSU officials decided that the tiger was adjusting well and allowed him into the public habitat during morning outings.  He was returned to the night house each evening. On his first outing on September 1, 2007, LSU staff invited members of the media and the public to view and take photographs of the tiger.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lsusports.net//ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=1205648|title=Future Mike VI Moves into Habitat Saturday Morning}}</ref>

On September 8, 2007, LSU staff acknowledged that "He's Mike VI" in a press release. A ceremony dedicating the tiger as officially "Mike VI" took place on September 14, 2007, Mike VI was to make his [[Tiger Stadium (LSU)|Death Valley]] debut at the September 22 game against the [[2007 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|University of South Carolina]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.www.lsureveille.com/media/storage/paper868/news/2007/09/18/News/Mike-Vi.To.Make.Stadium.Debut-2974583.shtml|title=Mike VI to make stadium debut|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122031912/http://media.www.lsureveille.com/media/storage/paper868/news/2007/09/18/News/Mike-Vi.To.Make.Stadium.Debut-2974583.shtml|archive-date=2008-01-22}}</ref> but LSU Veterinarian David Baker felt that a day game would be rough for the new tiger, delaying his anticipated debut until the October 6, 2007 night game against the [[2007 Florida Gators football team|University of Florida]].<ref name="katc.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.nola.com/lsusports/2007/09/mike_vis_debut_on_hold.html|title=Mike VI's debut on hold}}</ref>

By 2015, Mike VI was a 10-year old Siberian-Bengal mix male weighing over {{convert|420|lb}}. The product of an "unintended breeding" at Great Cats, University staff believed his youth, size and temperament may give the athletic department a "more ferocious mascot much sooner than watching a cub grow up at LSU." Estimates by LSU Veterinary staff were that Mike VI may top out at {{convert|600|lb|abbr=on}} or more, making him LSU's largest tiger mascot ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/9412781.html?showAll=y&c=y|title=theadvocate.com - The Advocate - Baton Rouge News, Sports and Entertainment|first=The|last=Advocate}}</ref>

In Mike VI's first year as the LSU tiger, the [[LSU Tigers football]] team won the [[2008 BCS National Championship Game|BCS National Championship]] for the [[2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2007 college football season]].

On May 23, 2016, LSU issued a press release stating that Mike VI had been diagnosed with a spindle cell sarcoma, a type of cancer, which later spread.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.lsu.edu/miketiger/mike_vi_cancer.php |title=Mike VI, LSU's live tiger mascot, diagnosed with cancer |publisher=Louisiana State University |date=May 23, 2016 |access-date=May 23, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525194349/http://www.lsu.edu/miketiger/mike_vi_cancer.php |archive-date=May 25, 2016 }}</ref> LSU announced on September 6 that despite treatment, the tiger's cancer was terminal, and that he would be expected to live at most two years. Mike VI would remain in his on-campus habitat, and would no longer attend games. On October 5, 2016, it was announced that Mike VI's cancer had returned and spread to his head. Vets at the LSU Veterinarian School announced that he had one to two months to live.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nola.com/living/index.ssf/2016/10/mike_the_tiger_cancer_treatmen.html |title=Mike the Tiger has 1 to 2 months to live, LSU vet says|access-date=2016-10-05}}</ref> Six days later, he was euthanized.<ref name="nola.com">{{cite web|author=Jim Kleinpeter|date=October 11, 2016|title=LSU's Mike the Tiger VI has died, the school announces|url=http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2016/10/lsus_mike_the_tiger_vi_has_die.html|work=nola.com|access-date=2017-10-04}}</ref>
{{clear}}

===Mike VII (2017–present)===
Following the death of Mike VI, LSU issued statements that they intended to seek another tiger to become Mike VII, in a similar manner to previous Mikes: to be donated to the university and not purchased or bred; and, like the acquisition of his would-be predecessors, that decision was also met with controversy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2016/10/louisiana_state_university_shouldn_t_replace_mike_the_tiger.html|title=Nothing Says Team Spirit Like a Caged Tiger|first=Nicholas|last=Lund|date=14 October 2016|via=Slate}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://deadspin.com/lsu-has-kept-its-mike-the-tiger-tradition-alive-with-th-1788288957|title=LSU Has Kept Its Mike The Tiger Tradition Alive With The Help Of Neglectful Backyard Zoos|first=Nick|last=Martin|date=28 October 2016 }}</ref>

On January 19, 2017, LSU announced a timeline concerning searching for a tiger to become Mike VII, hoping to have him join an incoming freshman class in August 2017. Additionally, they announced the would-be Mike VII would no longer visit the stadium during game days. The school also attempted to have Mike's habitat accredited as a tiger sanctuary. 

On August 1, LSU announced that it had located a 9-month-old male Siberian–Bengal hybrid tiger that may become Mike VII. The tiger was donated from an [[Okeechobee, Florida]] sanctuary that had changed owners and practices after a prosecution of the previous owner.<ref name="Ballard">{{cite news|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/sports/lsu/article_9b13d044-76fa-11e7-aa9c-3fd04d089622.html|title=LSU finds tiger that could become Mike VII, school announces|first=Mark|last=Ballard|newspaper=[[The Advocate (Louisiana)]]|date=August 1, 2017|access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref> The tiger, named Harvey, arrived on campus on August 15 to begin a one-week quarantine before officially becoming Mike VII. LSU announced that Harvey had become the official Mike VII on August 21, the first day of classes in the fall semester.<ref name=Cooper/> Mike VII oversaw LSU Football's first [[College Football Playoff]] National Title in his third season on campus.

Mike VII received two doses of the [[COVID-19 vaccine]] in the summer of 2021.<ref name="LSU2021">{{cite web |title=Mike VII, LSU'S Live tiger mascot, received COVID-19 vaccination |url=https://www.lsu.edu/mediacenter/news/2021/08/09mikevaccinated.php |website=www.lsu.edu |publisher=Louisiana State University |access-date=9 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109143851/https://www.lsu.edu/mediacenter/news/2021/08/09mikevaccinated.php |archive-date=9 January 2022 |date=9 August 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! [[Title]] || [[Reign]] || [[Given name]] || Lifespan || [[Subspecies]] || Place of interment || [[List of LSU Tigers football seasons|Football record]] *
|-
| '''Mike I''' || October 24, 1936 – June 29, 1956 ''(upon death)''<ref name="mikethetiger.com">{{cite web|title=History of Mike: Mike I—1936–1956|url=http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=mike_history|work=mikethetiger.com|access-date=2017-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007115211/http://mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=mike_history|archive-date=2017-10-07|url-status=dead}}</ref> || Sheik || October 10, 1935 ''(at [[Little Rock Zoo]], [[Little Rock, Arkansas]])''–June 29, 1956<ref name="mikethetiger.com"/> ''(of [[kidney disease]], in Mike the Tiger's Cage,<ref>{{cite web|title=LSU Will Get Another Tiger, Preserve Mike|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/image/v2%3A138FFE8785E79426%40EANX-13DA7FFAC43CCDB7%402435655-13D7DBA5F64AF557%400-13E07C762A856810%40?p=AMNEWS|work=Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 1)|date=June 30, 1956}}</ref> [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]])'' || [[Bengal tiger|Bengal]]<ref>{{cite web|title='Mike,' the Tiger Grid Mascot, Center of Show at L.S.U.-Arkansas Tilt: 15,000 Fans See Home Team Defeat Razorbacks in Driving Rain and Bitter Cold|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/image/v2%3A138F0D9908AC8D5F%40EANX-13A85B528380C366%402428467-13A785298BD0A8D6%400-13AA4127A5A9AD88%40?p=AMNEWS|work=Baton Rouge Morning Advocate (Final Ed., p. 1)|date=October 25, 1936}}</ref> || Mounted remains displayed in [[Louisiana Museum of Natural History|LSU Museum of Natural Science]], Baton Rouge, [[Louisiana]] || 109–76–13 (.583)
|-
| rowspan="2" | '''Mike II''' || '''A)''' September 29, 1956–Early October 1956<ref name="Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 3)">{{cite web|title=Tiger Mascot Nervous; Crowd Kept From Him|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/image/v2%3A138FFE8785E79426%40EANX-13DECD18105D49BE%402435760-13DCCEF6166ED7BA%402-13E7A3E5CFAF2300%40?p=AMNEWS|work=Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 3)|date=October 13, 1956}}</ref> ''(upon death)''<ref name="Louisiana State University Press (pp. 36–37)">{{cite book|author1=David G. Baker |author2=W. Sheldon Bivin |date=2003|title=Mike the Tiger: The Roar of LSU|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cJJQFyDsm4sC&q=%22routine%2C+a+salute+by+the+Pershing+Rifles%2C+and+a%22&pg=PA36|work=Louisiana State University Press (pp. 36–37)|publisher=LSU Press |isbn=9780807128886}}</ref> || ''Not specified by university'' || February 28, 1956 ''(at [[Audubon Zoo]], [[New Orleans]])''–Early October 1956<ref name="Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 3)"/> ''(of [[pneumonia]], in Mike the Tiger's Cage, Baton Rouge, Louisiana)''<ref name="Louisiana State University Press (pp. 36–37)"/> || Bengal<ref name="Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 3)"/> || Remains informally buried next to unspecified [[willow]] tree along [[Mississippi River]], Baton Rouge, Louisiana<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Mike: Mike II—1956–1958|url=http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=mike2_history|work=mikethetiger.com|access-date=2017-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727233249/http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=mike2_history|archive-date=2016-07-27|url-status=dead}}</ref> || 0–1–0 (.000) or 0–2–0 (.000) **
|-
| '''B)''' Early<ref>{{cite web|author=Charles East|date=November 28, 1956|title=LSU Gridiron Fans Have Twice as Much Tiger Now: Mascot Growing Fast; Many From City Going To Tulane Game|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/image/v2%3A138FFE8785E79426%40EANX-13DA247691925C64%402435806-13D7DB48C0C32B7B%400-13DFB4733A21A338%40?p=AMNEWS|work=Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 1)}}</ref> November 1956<ref>{{cite book|author1=David G. Baker |author2=W. Sheldon Bivin |date=2003|title=Mike the Tiger: The Roar of LSU|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cJJQFyDsm4sC&q=%221956+refer+to+a+tiger+cub+being+purchased+from%22&pg=PA42|work=Louisiana State University Press (p. 42)|publisher=LSU Press |isbn=9780807128886}}</ref>–May 15, 1958 ''(upon death)'' || ''Not specified by university'' || February 26, 1956 ''(at [[Woodland Park Zoo]], [[Seattle]])''<ref>{{cite book|author1=David G. Baker |author2=W. Sheldon Bivin |date=2003|title=Mike the Tiger: The Roar of LSU|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cJJQFyDsm4sC&q=%22ment+business+manager+Jack+Gilmore.%22&pg=PA37 |work=Louisiana State University Press (pp. 39-42)|publisher=LSU Press |isbn=9780807128886}}</ref>–May 15, 1958 ''(of pneumonia,<ref name="New Orleans Times–Picayune (p. 6)"/> while recuperating from multiple [[Bone fracture|fractures]] of left rear leg, in Audubon Zoo, New Orleans)'' || Bengal<ref>{{cite web|title=Mike II in N.O. for Leg Injury: LSU's Mascot Taken to Audubon Park Zoo For Diagnosis|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/image/v2%3A138FFE8785E79426%40EANX-13DA7B8B0859ADA8%402436313-13D87FBFD83EF343%400-13DF8D0597ED9C40%40?p=AMNEWS|work=Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 1)|date=April 19, 1958}}</ref> || ''Not specified by university'' || 7–6–0 (.538) or 8–6–0 (.571) or 8–7–0 (.533) **
|-
| '''Mike III''' || October 4, 1958 – August 12, 1976 ''(upon death)''<ref name="mikethetiger.com no. 2">{{cite web|title=History of Mike: Mike III—1957–1976|url=http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=mike3_history|work=mikethetiger.com|access-date=2017-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010020805/http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=mike3_history|archive-date=2016-10-10|url-status=dead}}</ref> || ''Not specified by university'' || November 26, 1957 ''(at Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle)''<ref name="mikethetiger.com no. 2"/>–August 12, 1976 ''(of old age, in LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana)''<ref name="Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 1)"/> || Bengal<ref name="Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 1)"/> || Remains were to be cremated<ref name="Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 1)"/> but plans then changed to mount remains (due to medical procedures performed shortly before death and the tiger's advanced age in general, remains were unsuitable for mounting beyond head and shoulders);<ref>{{cite web|title=Head of Mike III Is Preserved For Posterity by Taxidermists|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/image/v2%3A138FFE8785E79426%40EANX-13F6E3B7407B2DCE%402443246-13F5E56D72973168%4045-13F5E56D72973168%40?p=AMNEWS&hlterms=%22Head+of+Mike%22|work=Baton Rouge State–Times (sec. A, p. 20)|date=April 12, 1977}}</ref> mounted head and shoulders formerly displayed in Gold Star Trophies, Baton Rouge, Louisiana but now displayed in unspecified private residence<ref>{{cite book|author=Lee Feinswog|date=2013|title=Tales From The LSU Tigers Sideline: A Collection Of The Greatest Tigers Stories Ever Told|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cUQtAgAAQBAJ&q=%22inadequate+space+for+exercise+and+that+he+had+a+completely+unnatural+habitat+in%22&pg=PT76|work=Skyhorse Publishing|publisher=Sports |isbn=9781613216255}}</ref> || 131–48–7 (.723)
|-
| '''Mike IV''' || August 29, 1976<ref name="mikethetiger.com no. 3">{{cite web|title=History of Mike: Mike IV—1976–1990|url=http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=mike4_history|work=mikethetiger.com|access-date=2017-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010020905/http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=mike4_history|archive-date=2016-10-10|url-status=dead}}</ref>–April 30, 1990<ref name="mikethetiger.com no. 4">{{cite web|title=History of Mike: Mike V—1990–2007|url=http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=mike5_history|work=mikethetiger.com|access-date=2017-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018165411/http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=mike5_history|archive-date=2016-10-18|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''(upon retirement)'' || Jerry || May 15, 1974 ''(at [[Busch Gardens]], [[Tampa]])''–March 3, 1995 ''([[Animal euthanasia|euthanized]], due to multiple health issues, in [[Baton Rouge Zoo]], Baton Rouge, Louisiana)''<ref name="mikethetiger.com no. 3"/> || Bengal<ref>{{cite web|title=Mike IV Expected to Arrive Sunday|url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/image/v2%3A138F0D9908AC8D5F%40EANX-13B0FEB9BAEA6522%402443019-13B0A6E4BA6AA8AC%4013-13B116774EB50B90%40?p=AMNEWS|work=Baton Rouge Morning Advocate (sec. A, p. 14)|date=August 28, 1976}}</ref> || Remains inturned in Jack & Priscilla Andonie Museum, Baton Rouge, Louisiana<ref>{{cite web|title=LSU–Mike the Tiger: Mike IV (1976–1990)|url=http://www.lsu.edu/mikethetiger/mike-iv.php|work=lsu.edu|access-date=2017-10-04}}</ref> || 100–57–6 (.632)
|-
| '''Mike V''' || April 30, 1990<ref name="mikethetiger.com no. 4"/>–May 18, 2007 ''(upon death)'' || Stevie || October 19, 1989 ''(at Animal House Zoological Park, [[Moulton, Alabama]])''–May 18, 2007 ''(of [[kidney failure]], due to anesthesia applied for otherwise successful surgery to treat pneumonia, in LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana)''<ref name="lsu.edu">{{cite web|title=LSU—Mike the Tiger: Mike V (1990–2007)|url=http://www.lsu.edu/mikethetiger/mike-v.php|work=lsu.edu|access-date=2017-10-04}}</ref> || Bengal–[[Indochinese tiger|Indochinese]] mix || Remains inturned in Jack & Priscilla Andonie Museum, Baton Rouge, Louisiana<ref name="lsu.edu"/> || 124–78–1 (.613)
|-
| '''Mike VI''' || September 14, 2007 – October 11, 2016 ''(upon death)'' || Roscoe || July 23, 2005<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Mike: Mike VI—2007–Current|url=http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=mike6_history|work=mikethetiger.com|access-date=2017-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113090744/http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=mike6_history|archive-date=2016-11-13|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''(at Great Cats of Indiana, [[Idaville, Indiana]])''–October 11, 2016 ''(euthanized, due to [[terminal illness|terminal]] [[spindle cell sarcoma]] in head, in [[Mike the Tiger Habitat]] night house, Baton Rouge, Louisiana<ref name="nola.com"/>)'' || Bengal–[[Siberian tiger|Siberian]] mix || Remains inturned in Jack & Priscilla Andonie Museum, Baton Rouge, Louisiana<ref>{{cite web|author=Janie Harris|date=October 5, 2016|title=LSU's Mike VI's cancer spreads|url=https://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2016-10-05/lsus-mike-vis-cancer-spreads|work=ncaa.com|access-date=2017-10-04}}</ref> || 93–30 (.756)
|-
| '''Mike VII''' || August 21, 2017–Present || Harvey || September 13, 2016 ''(at Wild at Heart Wildlife Center, [[Okeechobee, Florida]] ''<ref>{{cite web|title=LSU–Mike the Tiger: Mike VII (2017–)|url=http://www.lsu.edu/mikethetiger/mike-vii.php|work=lsu.edu|access-date=2017-10-04}}</ref>–Present || Bengal–Siberian mix || ''Not applicable'' || 72-29 ''(Record as of 1/8/2025)''
|-
|}

Notes: *—a [[superstition]] strongly tied to the line of Mikes is the success of the school's football program (LSU has won [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|national championships]] during the first seasons of the reigns of Mike I, Mike III, and Mike VI, although the title under Mike I was not a consensus, despite being named champion by multiple selectors); **—contemporary accounts maintain the existence of only one tiger holding the title of Mike II, but modern research indicates the existence of two separate tigers; however, it is not immediately clear precisely when the reign of the first Mike II ended and the second Mike II began.

==Mike the Tiger Habitat==
[[File:Mike the Tiger Habitat (Baton Rouge).jpg|thumb|right|260px|[[Mike the Tiger Habitat]]]]

{{Main|Mike the Tiger Habitat}}
In 2005, a new $3 million habitat was created for Mike. The [[Tiger Athletic Foundation]] (TAF) raised funds, entirely from private sources, to subsidize the construction project. The habitat (situated between [[Tiger Stadium (LSU)|Tiger Stadium]] and the [[Pete Maravich Assembly Center]]) features state-of-the-art technologies and includes among its amenities lush plantings, a waterfall, a flowing stream that empties into a wading pond, and rocky plateaus. The habitat ranks among the largest and finest tiger preserves in the country and expanded Mike's home from 2,000 to {{convert|15000|sqft|m2}}. It also features research, conservation, and husbandry programs, as well as educational, interpretive, and recreational activities. Mike's new home can be viewed via the live Tigercam.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mikethetiger.com/tiger-cam/|title=MikeTheTiger.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723163753/http://www.mikethetiger.com/index.php?display=tigercam|archive-date=2013-07-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Traditions==
*Until 2016, on home football game days, Mike's cage on wheels was topped by the LSU cheerleaders as it rode through Tiger Stadium before the start of the game, and was parked by the opponent's locker room at the southeast end of Tiger Stadium, forcing opposing players to pass by Mike's cage in order to reach their locker room (However, Mike is never forced into his trailer: if he does not go in on his own, he remains in his habitat. Mike VI was known for rarely entering his trailer).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2016/10/lsus_mike_the_tiger_vi_has_die.html|title=LSU's Mike the Tiger VI has died, the school announces|publisher=The Times Picayune|access-date=August 22, 2017}}</ref> However, following the death of Mike VI in 2016, LSU announced that future Mikes will no longer leave their habitat.<ref name="Ballard"/>
*According to [[folklore]], LSU will score a touchdown for every one of Mike's roars on game day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=177271&_ga=2.148136884.2009984722.1503391099-1650668916.1497501132|title=LSU's Live Tiger Mascot, Mike VII|publisher= LSU Athletics, Louisiana State University|access-date=August 22, 2017}}</ref>
*Many students seek to take a picture with Mike on graduation day wearing cap and gown.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

===Retirement===
After the death of Mike III in 1976 while he was still LSU's active mascot, a three-stage retirement plan was instituted for the tigers:<ref name="Mike"/>
*Stage 1: He no longer participates in pre-game events such as the roar before the game.
*Stage 2: He stops attending the games altogether.
*Stage 3: He retires to another location.

==Mike the Tiger Mascot==
[[File:Mike the Tiger of LSU.jpg|thumb|262x262px|Mike the Tiger Mascot]]
LSU has a costumed mascot also named Mike. Mike the Tiger Mascot appears at LSU sporting events (as the live Mike the Tiger does not leave his habitat as of 2016, and previously did not attend away games for some time) and also appears at several LSU-related functions. In August 2007, Mike the Tiger Mascot was featured on a [[This Is SportsCenter|This Is ''SportsCenter'']] commercial with LSU alum [[Shaquille O'Neal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1147639|title=Shaq, Mike the Tiger Star in 'SportsCenter' Spot|publisher=LSU Athletics, Louisiana State University|access-date=August 22, 2017}}</ref> In 2005, Team Mike was formed by a group of students and has carried on its tradition at LSU. This team of students help Mike get to his games and events on time, help him with his costumes, and bring him to [[Walt Disney World]] every January to compete in a mascot competition.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}.  Along with other college mascots, Mike was featured in the [[Brad Paisley]] video "[[Country Nation]]" in 2015.

==See also==
*[[LSU Tigers and Lady Tigers]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*David G. Baker and W. Sheldon Bivin, ''Mike the Tiger: The Roar of LSU,'' LSU Press (2003) {{ISBN|0-8071-2888-0}}
*David G. Baker and Margaret Taylor Stewart, ''Tales of Mike the Tiger: Facts and Fun for Everyone'' LSU Press (2006) {{ISBN|0-8071-3118-0}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060902154000/http://www.lsu.edu/highlights/033/mike.html Game Day: Mike the Tiger’s Way]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061103162531/http://www.lsu.edu/highlights/042/mike.html Tiger Tales: Mike the Tiger]

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.mikethetiger.com}}

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