A living tiger in the stadium is criticized for “reviving tradition” in college football – CNN.co.jp

(CNN) Louisiana State University has revived the tradition of putting a live tiger in a cage and displaying it at the stadium for the first time in about 10 years at a college football game held in Louisiana. LSU) has been the target of criticism. In the game, LSU lost to the University of Alabama 42-13.

The game was held on the 9th at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Omar Bradley, a tiger owned by Florida’s Mitchell Kalmanson, appeared at the stadium before the game, caged and covered with black curtains. As the stadium lights dimmed, a caged tiger appeared in the spotlight.

The tiger stood up and walked around the cage, surrounded by photographers who kept their distance.

It has been a long-standing tradition at LSU to display caged tigers in the stadium. However, it has been discontinued since 2015, and LSU’s official mascot, the live tiger “Mike VII,” remains in an enclosure on the university’s campus.

A tiger moving in a cage/Gerald Herbert/AP

In response, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry called for the tradition to be revived. Meanwhile, a protest movement broke out on campus, collecting over 27,000 signatures.

Animal rights groups also criticized Governor Landry and Kalmanson, the owner of the tiger that appeared that day. “LSU ended this stupid and archaic practice nearly a decade ago because they recognized the cruelty of exposing sensitive big cats to the noise, lights and crowds of a football field.” .

“We have had discussions and have taken every step to keep the tiger safe,” said Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham, who is also a veterinarian.