Mike the tiger's habitat: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.

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HE'S NO HOUSE CAT, THAT'S FOR sure. Mike VI, a Bengal/Siberian tiger who lives large at Louisiana State University, is the embodiment of the beloved sports mascot. In early September 2007, the two-year-old male tiger arrived at his new digs--a 15,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art, outdoor habitat that once housed his predecessor, Mike V. Mike V had lived there until May, when he passed away from renal failure at the age of 17.

Named after LSU athletic trainer Chellis "Mike" Chambers, who was largely responsible for finding him, the first-ever Mike the Tiger arrived at LSU in October 1936. His original habitat consisted of a cinderblock night house attached to a 400-square-foot cement slab with fencing around it, according to Dr. David Baker, his personal veterinarian.

In 1981, the habitat underwent a $175,000 renovation, which made it three times larger, a pool, climbing rocks, and a scratching post. The outdoor portion of the second enclosure had a small grass area, Baker explains, which led to problems. First, the space caused physical constraints for Mike, only allowing him to pace back and forth, says Baker. Second, the tiger's urine would change the grassy spot into mud patches, which led to foot infections.

FUNCTION: To make a better environment for Mike and to reflect more of a natural habitat, the enclosure was torn down and rebuilt. Construction spanned from November 2004 through August 2005. The new, expanded enclosure incorporates natural materials such as grass and sand and enables Baker to keep a close eye on Mike, especially when he may be sick, with its open view setup. "Cats mask their illnesses really well," Baker explains, in that a seriously ill tiger would find a hiding place and remain there until death.

A large oak tree provides shade, and a stream, complete with a waterfall running through lush vegetation, encourages Mike VI to go swimming or just cool off. He can also swipe a paw against one of three scratching posts.

With a 60-foot tower as a backdrop behind the arches of a viewing wall, the habitat reflects elements of LSU's Italian Renaissance architecture. Educational plaques provide facts on tigers. A woven, stainless steel mesh spans the wall's arches, enabling visitors to observe Mike through windows. A mesh top was added to give Mike some extra protection and to prevent objects from being thrown into his enclosure. The habitat is next to LSU's Tiger Stadium. State-of-the-art technology features include timed watering systems and underwater lighting. In his now climate-controlled night house, Mike VI receives medical care from Baker, who pays weekly visits, and gets daily attention from two students in LSU's School of Veterinary Medicine.

CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS: Blueprints for the night house intended for Mike to be led through a door in order to go inside a squeeze cage. The doorway was not wide enough, so its width was expanded. An ozone-based water purification system was determined to be too expensive, so abromine-based system was substituted.

COST: $3 million. The Tiger Athletic Foundation raised funds through "I Like Mike," a grassroots campaign/collaboration between TAF and student organizations. Fundraising methods included taking up collections at home games and selling engraved bricks to be used in a walkway, as well as signed and numbered art prints, according to Bobbie Grand, TAF public relations officer. "We provide funds for the upkeep of the facility," she says.

PROJECT TEAM: Contractor: Gibbs Construction, LLC, New Orleans, La. Architect: Torre Design Consortium Ltd., also located in New Orleans.