LSU likely to ignore PETA, obtain new tiger mascot

[joeybee12]

BATON ROUGE, La. -- A group of animal advocates is urging LSU not to replace its recently departed mascot with another live tiger but school officials appear unlikely to accept that idea.


"Big cats in captivity are denied everything that is natural and important to them, such as the opportunity to run, climb, hunt, establish their territory, and choose their mates," Lisa Wathne, of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, says in a letter to school officials.


"The LSU mascot is part of the LSU community, part of the LSU family; a tradition for 71 years," said Dr. David Baker of the LSU Veterinary School, who cared for Mike and was visibly shaken last week by the tiger's death from kidney failure. "And we intend to obtain another tiger."


LSU officials did not comment specifically on Wathne's letter Monday but offered several general responses, noting that many wildlife experts believe the Bengal tiger population in the wild is about 500 or fewer and may not be sustainable. Also, a tiger in captivity is not pursued by poachers.


Mike was moved last year into a $3 million home, complete with a bathing pool and waterfall, that offered 15,000 square feet of living space.


"The tigers we will have here will have nothing but top-notch care and facilities," LSU spokeswoman Kristine Calongne said.


PETA, citing its own figures, argues that thousands of tigers are held in private captivity in the United States. Also, Wathne said, tiger habitats should be measured in acres, not feet.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=2878527

________________________________

Sorry, LSU, animals that are endangered should not be mascots.

[trumad]

1. Come on..

The endangered animal lives in a "15,000 foot $3 million home, complete with a bathing pool and waterfall".

Don't sound like he's in a bad place to me.

[joeybee12]

2. Don't treat a wild animal like a domesticated one...

i'ts that simple...what we like is not what they like. When animals such as tigers have their numbers depleted almost to the point of extinction, they shouldn't be used in this manner.

[trumad]

5. Yeah---let's leave them for the poachers...

[joeybee12]

6. Shouldn't you be, you know, at your computer, doing,

you know?

[TZ]

3. I agree with Joey.

Endangered animals should be in a Zoo in a SSP--Species Survival Plan. Not be a sideshow for a football game. I loathe PETA. But they are right on this. Big Cats SHOULD NOT be sports mascots (for the record, I'm not a fan of them being in Circuses or Los Vegas shows either)

[joeybee12]

4. Of course you do!

B-)

[Forkboy]

7. PETA is correct.

[lazarus]

8. I don't have much use for PETA

but they're 100% correct here.

Alabama needs to get an elephant. That's the ticket.

[TZ]

9. .

:rofl:
Living up to your Evil Du'er heart..I like it..:thumbsup:

[Onceuponalife]

10. As long as it is treated well, I really don't have a problem with this.

The poacher excuse is weak, though. Poachers need to be stopped. Put more time, energy and money into the problem. I do love animals but these tigers seem to be treated well. Maybe one of them will eat a drunk, idiot fan? Bonus!

I also don't have a problem with PETA. It seems to be vogue these days to hate them but I love it when they poor paint on some sicko who thinks it's cool to wear a hide that belonged to a wild animal.