Post by Harleygirl on Jul 28, 2007 9:42:01 GMT -6
www.2theadvocate.com/news/8778017.html?showAll=y&c=y
LSU confirms selection of a new tiger
By JORDAN BLUM
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: Jul 28, 2007 - Page: 1A
Mike the Tiger’s habitat should soon be occupied again after LSU officials on Friday confirmed the selection of a new tiger.
The new, male Bengal tiger — about 2 years old — is expected to officially become Mike VI after it has been on campus for two weeks in August, LSU officials confirmed Friday.
“We have identified a tiger,” said Ginger Guttner, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine spokeswoman, “and plans are under way to transfer that tiger to LSU sometime in August.”
Because there are still health and safety issues to work out until the new tiger has been physically cleared on campus, Guttner said LSU will not release any more details about the tiger’s whereabouts or origin.
“Once the tiger is here and gone through a (two-week) quarantine will it be formally introduced,” Guttner said. “And only then will it become Mike VI.
“Even though we’ve identified a tiger, it’s not Mike VI yet,” she said, noting that something could still go wrong.
Mike V died in May of renal failure at age 17.
A new tiger’s arrival in August would bring it on campus in time for the home football opener Sept. 8.
LSU Chancellor Sean O’Keefe said he is optimistic — if everything goes according to plan — that the tiger could be ready for football season.
“It could be a great opportunity to see Mike VI in Tiger Stadium Sept. 8,” O’Keefe said.
“It appears to be an older animal, about 2 years old,” O’Keefe said.
Herb Vincent, LSU senior associate athletic director, commended Mike’s LSU veterinarian, David Baker, for successfully completing an exhaustive search.
Vincent said it is not official if the tiger will be ready for the Sept. 8 Virginia Tech football game.
“It depends on Dr. Baker,” Vincent said, “if he’s ready to go into Tiger Stadium for the first game.
“But we’d love to have him there.”
Vincent said the athletics department wants to work with the university to ensure the tiger’s official introduction is a “universitywide event.”
Although Mike V arrived at LSU as a 4-month-old cub, the previous Mikes were all older.
A slightly older tiger could give LSU a more ferocious mascot much sooner than watching a cub grow up at LSU.
Baker would not comment Friday. But he has emphasized the need to find a tiger with a great personality that is the right fit for LSU.
Guttner said LSU was seeking a donated tiger either privately or from a zoo. LSU did not want to purchase a tiger or accept one that was brought into the country or bred illegally.
LSU never wavered in its search despite criticism from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claiming that tigers should not be kept in formed confinement.
LSU officials have argued Mike the Tiger receives the highest standards of case.
Mike the Tiger costs about $15,000 per year to maintain with some money provided by the athletics department, Guttner said.
The private Tiger Athletic Foundation is responsible for maintenance of the two-year-old, $3 million, 15,000-square-foot tiger habitat
LSU confirms selection of a new tiger
By JORDAN BLUM
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: Jul 28, 2007 - Page: 1A
Mike the Tiger’s habitat should soon be occupied again after LSU officials on Friday confirmed the selection of a new tiger.
The new, male Bengal tiger — about 2 years old — is expected to officially become Mike VI after it has been on campus for two weeks in August, LSU officials confirmed Friday.
“We have identified a tiger,” said Ginger Guttner, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine spokeswoman, “and plans are under way to transfer that tiger to LSU sometime in August.”
Because there are still health and safety issues to work out until the new tiger has been physically cleared on campus, Guttner said LSU will not release any more details about the tiger’s whereabouts or origin.
“Once the tiger is here and gone through a (two-week) quarantine will it be formally introduced,” Guttner said. “And only then will it become Mike VI.
“Even though we’ve identified a tiger, it’s not Mike VI yet,” she said, noting that something could still go wrong.
Mike V died in May of renal failure at age 17.
A new tiger’s arrival in August would bring it on campus in time for the home football opener Sept. 8.
LSU Chancellor Sean O’Keefe said he is optimistic — if everything goes according to plan — that the tiger could be ready for football season.
“It could be a great opportunity to see Mike VI in Tiger Stadium Sept. 8,” O’Keefe said.
“It appears to be an older animal, about 2 years old,” O’Keefe said.
Herb Vincent, LSU senior associate athletic director, commended Mike’s LSU veterinarian, David Baker, for successfully completing an exhaustive search.
Vincent said it is not official if the tiger will be ready for the Sept. 8 Virginia Tech football game.
“It depends on Dr. Baker,” Vincent said, “if he’s ready to go into Tiger Stadium for the first game.
“But we’d love to have him there.”
Vincent said the athletics department wants to work with the university to ensure the tiger’s official introduction is a “universitywide event.”
Although Mike V arrived at LSU as a 4-month-old cub, the previous Mikes were all older.
A slightly older tiger could give LSU a more ferocious mascot much sooner than watching a cub grow up at LSU.
Baker would not comment Friday. But he has emphasized the need to find a tiger with a great personality that is the right fit for LSU.
Guttner said LSU was seeking a donated tiger either privately or from a zoo. LSU did not want to purchase a tiger or accept one that was brought into the country or bred illegally.
LSU never wavered in its search despite criticism from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claiming that tigers should not be kept in formed confinement.
LSU officials have argued Mike the Tiger receives the highest standards of case.
Mike the Tiger costs about $15,000 per year to maintain with some money provided by the athletics department, Guttner said.
The private Tiger Athletic Foundation is responsible for maintenance of the two-year-old, $3 million, 15,000-square-foot tiger habitat
