The Eagle Times

Many college students, faculty, and fans of Louisiana State University have been crushed since the death of their mascot Mike V in May of this year due to renal failure. Following the heartbreaking news, staff at LSU has been searching in desperate hope to find a replacement for the beloved tiger. After months of searching, David Baker, Mike the Tiger’s primary veterinarian, announced that a replacement has been found. Two-year-old Roscoe, born at Great Cats of Indiana in Idaville, Indiana, is being trained at this very moment. He is expected to train for at least two weeks before setting paw on the LSU football field. These two weeks also serve as a quarantine or “acclamation” period, for health and safety precautions. This seems only necessary before the tiger is officially given the title of Mike VI.
Roscoe is a Bengal-Siberian mix currently weighing in at around 300 pounds. Within the next seven years, Roscoe is expected to weigh around 700 pounds. This extreme weight gain would make him LSU’s largest tiger ever.

Currently Roscoe is living in the LSU habitat’s “night house”. Once he is named Mike VI; he will have freedom to roam the habitat as he wishes. Although Roscoe represents LSU, he will not attend any initial games in Tiger Stadium. No one knows quite when the tiger’s first big appearance on the field will be.

There were many concerns raised that Roscoe may be under extreme stress, considering he was taken away from his family and placed in an area in which he has never been before. Although concerns continue, LSU staff believes the tiger will do an exceptional job. “He is extremely confident, interactive, inquisitive, and friendly toward people,” Baker says. Hopefully, Roscoe will be able to easily adjust to such a large audience.
By Meagan Himel