LSU Tiger Mascot Return Sparks Debate: Governor Supports, PETA Opposes
The potential return of a live tiger mascot to LSU’s football field has ignited a heated debate, with Governor Jeff Landry voicing his support for the tradition while animal rights groups vehemently object, The Associated Press reports.
It’s been nearly a decade since a Bengal tiger has been rolled out in a cage at Death Valley, LSU’s iconic Tiger Stadium. While the university has not publicly commented on the possibility of reviving the tradition, Governor Landry expressed his enthusiasm during an unrelated press conference on Tuesday.
“I think the opportunity to bring our mascot back onto that field is an unbelievable opportunity,” he said.
However, this proposal has drawn swift condemnation from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The organization sent a letter to Governor Landry in early September, urging him to oppose the idea, calling it “cruel and dangerous” to the tiger’s welfare.
“Going back to the bad old days of using a wild animal as a sideline sideshow in 2024 is the last thing LSU should do, and PETA is appealing to Gov. Landry to drop this boneheaded idea,” the letter read.
For years, LSU’s live mascot, nicknamed Mike, would ride through the stadium in a trailer before home games, with the cage being parked next to the opponent’s locker room. The tradition ended in 2016 following the death of Mike VI, who died from cancer.
LSU’s current mascot, Mike VII, an eight-year-old tiger, resides in a 15,000-square-foot enclosure on campus and can be viewed by visitors. While he does not appear at games, the university claims to be providing a home for a tiger in need while also educating the public about the plight of tigers in captivity.
While LSU is not alone in having a live mascot, with other schools like Yale and the University of Texas featuring similar traditions, the return of the tiger to LSU’s football field has stirred strong emotions on both sides of the argument.
