LSU Mascot Mike the Tiger Dies at 11 Years Old

A difficult year for LSU has been made worse with the death of mascot Mike VI, the live Bengal tiger who could be frequently seen on sidelines at football games, at the age of 11.  

LSU's confirmed Mike VI's death after a battle with cancer on its official website Tuesday:

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Mike was humanely euthanized in his night house by LSU’s Attending Veterinarian David Baker, DVM, Ph.D. He was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma in May 2016 and underwent stereotactic radiotherapy on June 1, 2016, at Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center. He entered hospice care in his night house on Oct. 10, 2016, so that his caretakers could observe him to ensure that he did not suffer.

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Mike VI joined the LSU family on August 25, 2007, three months after his predecessor died due to renal failure at the age of 17. 

One week after becoming LSU's new mascot, Mike VI was allowed to roam the outside portion of his enclosure after adjusting so well to his new surroundings. 

In Mike VI's first year as LSU's mascot in 2007, the Tigers football team won the BCS national championship with a 38-24 victory over Ohio State in the championship game. 

As a result of Mike VI's cancer diagnosis earlier this year, he did not participate in LSU's pregame ceremonies before football games and instead remained in his home habitat, as the school announced his disease was terminal. 

LSU has had a live tiger mascot on its campus dating back to 1936 when the first Mike was purchased. The sixth iteration was originally known as Roscoe before being brought into the LSU family for the last nine years.