Louisiana Governor Supports Bringing Back Tradition of Having a Live Tiger at LSU Football Games
Louisiana Governor, Jeff Landry, confirmed his support on Tuesday for reinstating the tradition of bringing Louisiana State University’s live tiger mascot onto the football field before home games. It has been almost ten years since a Bengal Tiger graced the field at Death Valley, LSU’s renowned Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge where the football team plays.
While university officials have not made a public statement regarding reviving the tradition, Governor Landry expressed his enthusiasm for the idea during a news conference. He described the opportunity to have the mascot back on the field as incredible.
However, the organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) strongly opposes the idea. In a letter sent to Governor Landry in early September, PETA argued against the tradition, citing concerns about the welfare of the tiger and highlighting that tigers are naturally solitary animals not suited for noisy football stadiums.
Governor Landry addressed these concerns by urging those worried to remain calm during a press conference. The Associated Press reached out to LSU officials for their response, but no immediate comment was received. In the past, the school’s live mascot, known as Mike, would make appearances at games, riding through the stadium with the LSU cheerleaders before kickoff. The cage holding the tiger would be parked by the opponent’s locker room, creating a unique experience for all involved.
Following the passing of Mike VI, LSU’s tiger in 2016, it was announced that future live mascots would not be brought onto the field. The current live mascot, Mike VII, remains off the field during games but can be visited in his on-campus enclosure. Animal rights groups have previously called on LSU to stop featuring live tiger mascots, but the school maintains that it provides a home for a tiger in need while educating the public about tiger welfare issues.
It is worth noting that LSU is not the only university with a live mascot. Examples include Yale University’s Handsome Dan, the University of Texas at Austin’s Bevo the Longhorn, and the University of Colorado’s Ralphie the Buffalo.
The debate over the return of the live tiger mascot at LSU football games continues, with supporters seeing it as a cherished tradition while opponents raise concerns about animal welfare. Governor Landry’s endorsement adds fuel to the discussion, as the university weighs the decision on whether to bring back this iconic part of its game day experience.