Amid all the furor over the solar eclipse today, LSU announced some news carrying slightly more permanence than the ethereal and fleeting events overhead. Namely, that the 11-month old tiger on campus has passed his week-long probationary period and is now officially carrying the Mike VII moniker.
On the first day of the fall 2017 semester, Mike VII officially began his reign on Monday, Aug. 21, according to Mike’s attending veterinarian, Dr. David Baker.
“Harvey” arrived on campus Aug. 15 was housed in the night house of the tiger habitat. The 11-month-old, Siberian-Bengal, male tiger was quarantined and observed by LSU veterinarians to ensure that he was healthy and a good fit for LSU.
“He’s officially Mike the Tiger,” Dr. Baker told LSUsports.net just before 7:30 a.m. CT Monday morning.
Yes, there is video…
He's officially @MikeTheTiger, says Dr. Baker. He's out in his new habitat to start the @lsu semester! #LSU pic.twitter.com/w2zzyn2rQW
— LSU Tigers (@LSUsports) August 21, 2017
Plus a still shot…
Mike VII shakes off some water from his first dip in his pool. #LSU pic.twitter.com/MV7Gu6l9co
— LSU Pix (@LSUpix) August 21, 2017
And more still shots…
Welcome #MikeVII, who entered his habitat Monday as the official live mascot of @LSUsports! #LSU pic.twitter.com/kVnfrZKIHN
— LSU Pix (@LSUpix) August 21, 2017
Some more video – he’s not quite used to his pond yet, but he’ll get there…
MikeVII has officially arrived on the first day of school….and he is incredible!!!! #MikeVII #LSUfamily #GeauxTigers pic.twitter.com/QR6bfVzC0D
— LSU Beach Volleyball (@LSUBeachVB) August 21, 2017
He’s definitely a playful dude…
He's officially Mike VII! This playful tiger is enjoying his first time out in his new home on LSU's campus. pic.twitter.com/dMU1x1uZq6
— Michael Vinsanau (@MVinsanau) August 21, 2017
…and he’s got a little swagger to him already…
.@MikeTheTiger aka Mike VII is incredibly playful. He's been running and jumping all around his habitat, greeting all of his visitors. pic.twitter.com/bsNsMdBbm0
— Liz Koh (@lizkohWAFB) August 21, 2017
We remember that Mike VI was definitely a ham when it came to hanging out with his fans, and this guy looks like he’ll be similar…
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First day of school for all the LSU Tigers…and Mike VII is pumped! pic.twitter.com/LvhTBHApEs
— Taylor Halsey (@TaylorHalsey) August 21, 2017
He’s pretty photogenic, too, isn’t he?
Here he is folks! Harvey officially becomes @MikeTheTiger (Mike VII). Dr. Baker says it happened he moment he walked out into his habitat. pic.twitter.com/BjpOjNWvbX
— Liz Koh (@lizkohWAFB) August 21, 2017
From LSU’s release on the newest Mike, that habitat is pretty swanky as well with the new improvements…
In preparation for the arrival of Mike VII in the summer of 2017, several enhancements were made to the habitat. The enhancements include a comfort rock, rockwork tree, improved water features, and resurfacing of the pool.
The comfort rock is a naturalistic element within the habitat that provides a heated or cooled surface for ultimate relaxation in Mike’s Habitat. The rockwork tree imitates a tiger’s natural habitat and serves to soften the impact of the steel column supporting the overhead mesh canopy.
The pool and stream system will help keep Mike cool in the summer months and foster health activity.
At a cost of approximately $950,000, the project was fully funded through the Tiger Athletic Foundation. Many of the enhancements were made possible through a generous donation from Kelly and Harper Spears. Additionally, funding from supporters of TAF’s Mike the Tiger Brick Program helped cover cost of this project and future maintenance of the habitat. These donations continue to be a testament to the love the LSU family has for our live Tiger mascot, Mike.
So all’s right with the Tiger. We’ll find out in less than two weeks what kind of football team that tiger will reign over.
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