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Starting in 1936, the LSU Tigers began bringing a live, caged tiger to its football games to serve as the university’s mascot.
That practice stopped in 2015 with Mike VI at the suggestions of the veterinarians who looked after the tiger at the time, citing health concerns.
But that tradition is now set to return on Saturday when LSU plays host to rival Alabama, and not everybody is happy about it.
BREAKING: Live tiger to return to Tiger Stadium field for LSU-Alabama. #GeauxTigers #LSU #RollTide
READ MORE HERE 🔗 https://t.co/uRMTyxbp0h pic.twitter.com/OTURPBjdrq
— 104.5 ESPN (@1045espn) November 7, 2024
The decision comes from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. But the live tiger will not be LSU’s current mascot, Mike VII, who lives in a large habitat on campus.
LSU Fans Slam Governor’s Decision To Import Live Tiger For Alabama Game
LSU is expected to bring in a Tiger from out of state to serve as the team’s de facto mascot against the Crimson Tide.
“I think the opportunity to bring our mascot back onto the field is an unbelievable opportunity,” Landry initially said during a September news conference.
But he was quickly shot down due to concerns for Mike VII’s wellbeing.
So Landry appears to have taken another route, and fans aren’t particularly happy about it.
“This is so stupid,” one fan wrote. “Landry didn’t even go to LSU. Why does he have such a hard-on for this? Is it just the need to dunk on “experts”? Shame on the vet politicians (who I am quite sure have never treated a f—ing tiger) giving him cover.”
Unsurprisingly, PETA is also upset with the decision.
“Whether the tiger is confined to campus or shipped in from elsewhere, no reputable facility would subject a tiger to such chaos and stress,” it said in a statement.
Twitter user Zach Bacon mocked the decision.
We heard everyone’s concerns about traumatizing Mike. So instead we’re renting some random tiger and traumatizing them instead,” Bacon wrote.
That was a familiar theme among fans. But Landry appears unmoved. LSU will have a Tiger on the sidelines against the Crimson Tide. And it’s happening whether fans like it or not.