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This is the current Mike The Tiger. LSU's mascot . While I am a firm believer that wild life should live wild and free . I also know that is not always possible. Mike lives a good life he's very well cared for and he's quite a celebrity . The following is Mike's story from the official site of the LSU Mascot. The Louisiana State University tiger mascot, Mike VI, was born July 23, 2005, and came to LSU when he was two years old. At the time of his arrival at LSU, he weighed 320 pounds. His weight as of June 2010 is 460 pounds. He is expected to reach approximately 500-600 pounds at maturity; he will reach maturity at 5 ½ to 6 years of age. Mike VI was donated to LSU by Great Cats of Indiana, a nonprofit sanctuary and rescue facility for big cats and other large carnivores, located in Idaville, Ind. He was moved into his home, north of Tiger Stadium on August 25, 2007, and was introduced to the LSU community on September 1, 2007. He was officially declared Mike VI at a ceremony held on September 14, 2007. He debuted in Tiger Stadium on the evening of the Florida vs. LSU football game on Saturday, October 6, 2007. Mike VI has exceeded his veterinarian, Dr. David Baker's, expectations in every possible manner. Dr. Baker says "Not only is he very handsome, with markings unlike any tiger we have ever had, but his personality is remarkable. He is extremely confident, interactive, inquisitive, and friendly toward people. He appears to already be forming a relationship with his student caretakers and seems most content when they are with him." Construction on the current tiger enclosure began in November 2004 and was completed in August 2005. The habitat incorporates natural substrates, including grass, and also includes elements of LSU’s renaissance architecture and facts educating Mike’s visitors on the five living subspecies of tigers. The new enclosure encompasses 13,000 square feet.