The pathetic tiny cage that the Jaguar was held in should be illegal. If you are going to keep live mascots, they need to be treated like royalty. I don't blame Southern if they decide not to put another fine animal in that cage. PETA makes a good point about the conditions that existed for that animal. Caged animals often die of boredom and depression. On the other hand, LSU has a big multiple-habitat enclosure that is better than most zoos. And it is building an even bigger one. When Mike passes, LSU will surely put another Bengal tiger in the multi million-dollar habitat. Our tiger would only be better off if he was running wild in the forests of India. However, PETA also makes a good point in that team mascots, unlike zoo anumals, are deprived of contact with their own kind. When LSU finishes this big new tiger habitat, why not put another tiger or two in there for Mike to interact with?
I agree with most of your points. The bottom line is that live tigers naturally have nothing to do with Louisiana or our football program. If LSU has a habitat that imitates West Bengal than thats okay for a limited period of time if you're studying or breeding the animal, cages just do not suit tigers period. Tigers are extremely smart and social animals and hate to be fed and caged by any means. If LSU has a zooligical interest in Mike than that would be at least acceptable rationaly, kinda like Auburn's raptor institute, otherwise having a captive live mascot that serves ONLY a cheer purpose ONLY 11-12 times year is completely selfish if not acceptable. Most of you will change your minds once you see tigers in their real habitat.
