LSU declined Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's initial request to have the live tiger, Mike the Tiger, on the sidelines again at football games again.
However, Tiger Rag now reports that there will be a living, breathing, roaring tiger at Saturday's game against Alabama.
"Omar Bradley, a live Tiger from Florida, will be at the game on the field as a pinch-growler, so to speak."
WBRZ reports that the tiger belongs to Mitchel Kalmanson.
"An associate of Kalmanson, reached at the insurance company he owns in Maitland, Florida, said the tiger is full-sized and was traveling to Baton Rouge," the TV station reported.
The associate did not say where the tiger might stay before or after the game.
Kalmanson's website says he specializes on insurance covering wild animals from alligators to zebras. The site also includes a link to "Information on World Wide Exotic Animal Talent Agency - Booking Talent, Animals, or Facilities."
The link takes you to a company called "Featuring Animals."
The company says, "Featuring Animals is devoted to providing a wide range of animals - domestic, exotic, and marine - for photography, modeling, television/movie production, and special events. Our extensive background owning, handling, and moving numerous animals allows us to meet and exceed all Federal, State, and Local requirements to provide a safe, clean, and humane environment for all of the animals."
LSU’s live Tiger mascot, Mike VII (pictured above), does not go to games. LSU ended that practice in 2015.
“I am a huge Tiger fan,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said, jokingly, at his usual Thursday night news conference when asked about the live tiger. “Go Tigers!”
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued a response that says, "It’s shameful and out of touch with today’s respect for wild species that LSU has bowed to Gov. Jeff Landry’s campaign to display a live tiger at its football games to amuse the fans."
PETA says, "Mitchel Kalmanson has failed to meet minimum federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited him numerous times for failing to provide veterinary care, failing to provide animals with sufficient space to move around, failing to feed animals veterinarian-approved diets, and failing to have proper barriers and attendants present between animals and the public. During performances with UniverSoul Circus in both 2003 and 2004, tigers
owned by Kalmanson escaped."
The organization lists several pages of violations Kalmanson has allegedly committed.
Meanwhile a former LSU Tiger star and his current LSU Tiger star girlfriend will be at the game and be the celebrity pickers on ESPN College Gameday's broadcast from LSU.
"Can’t wait!!! Let’s geaux," Gymnast Olivia Dunne posted about her appearance with now Pirates' pitcher Paul Skenes Saturday.
