A well-meaning, California-based group has collected 35k plus petition signatures encouraging the powers that be to let Mike VII the Tiger, the live two-year old LSU mascot, go free.  Read more here.  This isn’t new news.  The group Care2, which claims 40 million members, started a similar petition after Mike VI lost a long battle with cancer about 18 months ago.  Mike VII replace Mike VI last August.

The Boom Boom Room has a few thoughts about the Care2 initiative if you care to read them below.

1.  This live tiger was born in captivity and rescued due to poor living conditions and violations by the previous owner.
2. According to animal experts he has never been in the wild and cannot be released into it since he has never had to hunt for food and therefore could not survive.
3. His habitat cost over three million to build.  It covers over 1.5 acres.  It has an indoor area as well as an expansive outdoor area.
4. The outdoor area includes a cool pool.  The indoor area has a “warm” area and a “cooling” area.  He can choose his body temp whether he is inside or out essentially.
5. The LSU vet examines him regularly and is on call 24/7 making his health a great priority.
6. Vet students care for the animal daily.  This gives them an ongoing learning opportunity.  This gives Mike great attention.
7. His diet is better than yours and mine.
8. LSU no longer encourages or forces the animal into a smaller mobile cage to parade him around the field on game day.
9. The average lifespan of these glorious animals increases by over 33% when placed in this type of environment.
10. The worldwide wild tiger population is and has been under siege due to poaching.  Skins can fetch several thousand dollars in the black market.

Maybe Care2 should care more about that illegal poaching that kills thousand of tigers each year than one tiger who lives a pretty pampered existence.  And, isn’t it easy to “sign” a petition online?  “Sign here if you are against caging live tigers.”  Duh.  Thirty five thousand signatures from an organization that boasts 40 million members sounds pretty darn indifferent too.  Aren’t there many trees that still need a hug?

Mike sez, “I am tiger, hear me happily roar.”