Mike the Tiger, one of the most famous tigers in the United States and the official mascot of the LSU Tigers, has died at his tiger den in Baton Rouge.

The 400-pound royal Bengal tiger that has been LSU’s mascot since 1990 died on Friday.

The tiger, named Mike V, was often rolled out onto the sidelines of LSU home football games in a circus-style cage painted in LSU purple and gold, sometimes positioned specifically to welcome visiting teams into Tiger Stadium.

I have had the pleasure of seeing Mike several times while a student down at LSU. He will be sorely missed by thousands of students and alumni.  Mike was born in 1989.
Mike the Tiger’s Official Site