Governor Jeff Landry has reaffirmed his support for reviving the tradition of bringing Louisiana State University’s live tiger mascot onto the football field before home games. It’s been almost a decade since a Bengal tiger has appeared under the lights of Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, where LSU plays. While university officials haven’t publicly indicated whether they would resume the practice, Landry made his stance clear when asked by reporters.
“I believe the chance to bring our mascot back onto the field is a tremendous opportunity,” Landry said during a press conference unrelated to the issue.
However, the idea has drawn strong opposition from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Earlier in September, PETA sent a letter to Landry, condemning the tradition as cruel and unsafe for the tiger, emphasizing that tigers are “naturally solitary animals who don’t belong in rowdy football stadiums.”
PETA’s letter further stated, “Reverting to the outdated practice of using a wild animal as a sideshow in 2024 is the last thing LSU should do, and we are urging Gov. Landry to reconsider.”
In response, Landry told critics to “calm down” over their concerns.
The Associated Press reached out to LSU, its athletics department, and the university’s School of Veterinary Medicine for a response, but they have yet to provide a statement.
Historically, LSU’s live tiger mascot would be paraded through the stadium in a cage topped with cheerleaders before home games, and positioned outside the opponents’ locker room as a form of intimidation. Some mascots even traveled with the team, including appearances at the 1985 Sugar Bowl and the Superdome in New Orleans in 1991.
After Mike VI, LSU’s live tiger at the time, passed away in 2016, the school decided not to bring future mascots onto the field. Mike VI, who succumbed to cancer, attended 33 of 58 home games between 2007 and 2015.
The current live mascot, Mike VII, an 8-year-old, 345-pound tiger, has been kept off the field since being donated from a sanctuary in 2017. Visitors can still see him in his 15,000-square-foot enclosure on campus next to the stadium.
Animal rights groups have long called for LSU to end the use of live tiger mascots, though the university maintains that it provides a necessary home for the tiger while raising awareness about issues like irresponsible breeding and improper captivity.
LSU isn’t the only school with a live mascot. Yale University has Handsome Dan, a bulldog; the University of Texas at Austin showcases Bevo the Longhorn before football games; and the University of Colorado parades Ralphie the Buffalo across the field with handlers before kickoff.
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