Mike VI was born on July 23, 2005, at the nonprofit animal rescue facility, Great Cats of Indiana in Idaville, Ind. In August 2007, Great Cats of Indiana donated the Bengal/Siberian mix to LSU. The Tiger was flown from Indiana to Baton Rouge on August 25, 2007 aboard an aircraft donated by Acadian Ambulance.

The loading, transporting and unloading of the Tiger was executed flawlessly thanks to the tremendous help provided by the many friends within the community and campus. Special thanks go to Great Cats of Indiana not only for their gift of the Tiger, but also for the excellent care they provided to him. It was obvious from the Tiger's appearance and behavior that he was hand-raised by compassionate professionals.

Mike VI has exceeded his veterinarian, Dr. David Baker's, expectations in every possible manner. Dr. Baker says "Not only is he very handsome, with markings unlike any tiger we have ever had, but his personality is remarkable. He is extremely confident, interactive, inquisitive, and friendly toward people. He appears to already be forming a relationship with his student caretakers and seems most content when they are with him."

Mike VI weighed 330 pounds when he arrived at LSU. His weight at 5 years old is expected to reach 600-700 pounds, making him the largest of the tigers that have been mascots at LSU.

Now almost 2 years after his arrival to LSU’s campus, Mike continues to enjoy strutting around his enclosure for all his visitors to observe.  He is very accustomed to his daily routine, and enjoys a combination of sleeping, swimming, and interacting with his visitors.  You will often see Mike lounging in his stream, observing his onlookers with an inquisitive eye.  Then late in the afternoon, he is ready to play.  He often enriches his afternoons with a large boomer ball, specially made in purple for our LSU mascot.  Grasping it with his canine teeth, he carries it around his enclosure and throws it in his pool, splashing and pouncing around in the water, attracting hundreds of onlookers a day.  

   Mike VI has grown very fond of his new caretakers at LSU, and picks them out in a crowd of a hundred visitors by the simple jingle of their keys.  His caretakers say he is extremely affectionate, always inquisitive, and full of unique, playful personality.  

  Mike VI gained almost 100 pounds since his arrival in August 2007, weighing 420 pounds in April 2009. He is still expected to reach 600-700 pounds in the next few years.  He is currently in his adolescent stage, and loves to expend his abundant energy entertaining and interacting with his guests in the afternoons. Even in the snow of 2008, Mike could be seen prancing around his enclosure with his snow-covered boomer ball in his mouth.  Mike VI is a magnificent addition to the LSU family, and will continue to share his wonderful and unique tradition with the community for years to come.