MSA to support live tiger conservation with plaques
The plaques would label the tigers 'official Mizzou Tigers.'
Published May 4, 2010
MU has moved one step closer to having live tigers to call its own.
Missouri Students Association President Tim Noce said, depending on negotiations, MU sponsoring tigers at nearby zoos could become a possibility.
Noce said he’s been in contact with zoos in St. Louis, Kansas City and the Dickerson Park Zoo.
"We've been looking at this for awhile and we've finally gotten in contact with the right people," Noce said.
Noce said the negotiations with the zoos are largely monetary. The costs will be low, and it would possibly cover the cost of putting up a plaque.
"There would be a plaque on the tigers' lair that says 'These are the official Mizzou Tigers sponsored by the University of Missouri (or MSA),'" Noce said.
Students and MU alumni would be able to go to zoos in St. Louis, Kansas City or Springfield and the official “Mizzou Tigers.”
"We are helping out the zoo, and it would be a really good asset to the conservation efforts that each zoo does," Noce said. "It would also help out Mizzou by giving it a live mascot at each of these places."
Noce also said it would be a priceless form of advertisement.
"It is also a really good promotional tool for the zoos as well," Noce said. "We can provide them with a form of advertising because the majority of our students are from St. Louis, Kansas City or Springfield."
The deal could be a price promotional tool for both ends -- for conservation and for MU in general, Noce said.
"Each zoo has a breeding program for this rare and endangered species of tigers," Noce said. "A lot of what they do is the conservation effort and that is what we can help promote from a campus standpoint. The more people we can bring them, it helps with the conservation effort of the tiger and the knowledge of why tigers are endangered and why they need help."
Tigers for Tigers President Stacey Winkeler, who spoke out against Noce's original proposal to buy a live tiger for football games, said she's in favor of the MSA president's new idea.
“In my opinion, the idea for MU to adopt tigers at a zoo is a much better alternative than the earlier proposed plan of MU buying a tiger and housing it near campus,” Winkeler said. “I feel this option has a much better potential to reach a broader audience and is a more appropriate means to achieving the ultimate goal of saving tigers from extinction.”
MSA is working with the athletics department and University Affairs because they know how to promote the school in a good way, Noce said.
Earlier in the semester, Noce asked sophomore Christian Hulen to assist him with issues related to MU adopting a live tiger.
Hulen said the issue has been on the backburner and no new problems have arisen.
No timeline has been set in place for MU adopting tigers at Missouri zoos.
"I just do what Tim asks of me," Hulen said. "If it happens, it happens."
Hulen said he met with Noce on Monday about adopting tigers, and discussions will move forward over the summer and in the fall semester.