Mike VI

Lindsey Clemones - LSU

V:50 I:4 Experiences

Meet Mike VI, LSU's live tiger mascot. Every two years two very lucky veterinary students are selected to be his caretakers!  I am lucky enough to be one of those students. My job entails all aspects of Mike's care. In the mornings I inspect his yard area to ensure it is safe for him to be let outside, then I clean out his night house area; this generally takes about an hour and half to complete. His caretakers are also responsible for his pool maintenance. In the evenings Mike likes for us to visit him outside for a game of hide and seek. Don't worry  there is always a barrier, i.e. a fence, between Mike and his caretakers. After playtime, Mike comes inside for his dinner of 25 pounds of a special zoo carnivore diet. As caretakers we are also involved in his monthly and yearly preventive care, which is very similar to that of a domestic house cat. He receives flea and heart worm prevention and vaccinations. Caring for the only live tiger mascot on a college campus is one of the most unique and spectacular experiences any vet student could ask for! I feel so blessed to have this opportunity and love sharing Mike and my experiences with others.

Comments

[Kathie Guidry]

Well no wonder he played hide and seek with me one night when I was there... it was so cute. I kept hiding and he would pace back and forth until he would find me then he would run around.. after a while, I hid close to his pool and when I came out, he jumped up on the glass to meet me... yes, he loves hide and seek