Ralphie the bison. Mike the tiger. Lady the black bear. Nova the eagle. Leo the lion. Tusk the Russian boar.
No, this is not a list of characters in a cartoon or figurines to collect and trade with your friends. These are just a few of the many live animal mascots used in the United States to represent college sports teams.
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While it is easy to find inspiration behind what each of these animals embodies — speed, strength, power, and courage — the animals portraying this team spirit unfortunately do not get to live the lives that exemplify these terms. They are just that, living symbols, tolerating the fright of roaring crowds when showcased on the field, or kept in enclosures far away from the vast plains, forests, and fields of their brethren. Freedom is foreign to them, and that is why they should not be kept prisoners as mascots.
Many schools will tell you their animals are well cared for, living in large habitats with plenty of room to stretch. This may be the case, but how much space is enough for a tiger, a bear, or a lion? In the wild, tigers live in areas that range from 20 to 1,500 square miles, a black bear from 1 to 60 square miles, and African lion males defend a territory up to 100 square miles. The University of North Alabama boasts of now having two lion mascots, Leo III and Una, who reside in only a 12,764 square foot compound. This is under one third of a football field!
Also, the instinctual behaviors of brave mascots such as a lion or tiger are not removed just because they are in captivity. It is highly dangerous to keep big cats in captivity due to their strength, speed, and predatory instincts. Since 1990, at least 20 people have been killed in the US by captive big cats, and many more injured.
And what message does this really send? That keeping fierce-looking creatures is cool and acceptable? If I were a youngster at a football game this is what I would, and used to, think. I can remember visiting a bank when I was about 5 years old, and they had a tiger in the lobby for its grand opening. They let the public approach the tiger and take photos with him. After patting the beast on the head and walking out the door I looked at my mother and said, “One day I will have a tiger, Mommy. You wait. I will have one. And it will sleep with me.” That is the message I took home that day.
Wild animals are unpredictable. Period. They are not domesticated, nor should they be. When will we finally stop exploiting other creatures and let them live the lives they were meant to?
Blogging off,
Maggie