In what could be considered a controversial move by Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham, a live tiger is set to feature in the LSU-Alabama game, stirring up a cloud of ambiguity surrounding the responsibilities and ethics of using live animals in such events. Despite inquiries by Fox 8, neither LSU spokesmen nor the governor's office have clearly stated who will bear responsibility for the animal or the insurance for its appearance.
According to the Louisiana Radio Network, the tiger, a 1.5-year-old Bengal named Omar Bradley, is owned by Mitchel Kalmanson, a Florida-based owner of an exotic animal talent agency plagued with federal citations for mistreating animals. Notwithstanding past escapes of his big cats, Kalmanson has been brought on board to reintroduce a live mascot into the LSU football tradition, a practice halted in 2015 due to humane concerns. However, details regarding the funding of the tiger's insurance and care were not disclosed, causing concern about potential taxpayer or donor burden.
Gov. Landry, indicating a backing of tradition over concerns, remarked on Louisiana Radio Network, "This is about from Mike I through VI, we have had a live mascot on the field, like many other colleges have before. Of course, we’re honoring those Mikes. And no one is going to take away the honor and respect and love that we have for Mike VII." Joining the fray, Dr. Ralph Abraham said, "This is about tradition," reiterating the sentiment shared by the governor about LSU's tiger mascot lineage. Amidst the furor, the voice of opposition has been articulated by the associate director of captive wildlife research at the PETA Foundation, Klayton Rutherford, admonishing LSU's choice as "out of touch with today’s respect for wild species."
Landry's office, as detailed by Fox 8, has pushed to return a live tiger to the sidelines of Tiger Stadium amidst criticism. Moreover, conversations with LSU have not yielded clarity, and the school's response has left experts such as Oliver Garden, the dean of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, at odds with the decision.
