Real Life Animal Mascots

J

Jabiru96

Well-Known Member
Hi,

I am intrigued as to if any sporting team uses real life animals as mascots or during pre-game or half-time displays? I became intrigued after reading that the West Coast Eagles AFL (Australian Football League) team uses a wedge tailed eagle 'Auzzie' during pre-game flights around the oval at home games. When not performing, Auzzie is kept (and presumably owned by) at the West Australian Bird of Prey Centre.

I was curious as to if there are sporting teams around the world that have real life mascots and/or use them in actual displays.
 
Colorado University uses "Ralphie" a female bison as their mascot and before home games her handlers run her around the field.

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralphie_the_Buffalo]Ralphie the Buffalo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
 
For college sports in the U.S. many teams use domestic animals but here are some exotic ones:
Auburn University- eagle
University of Arkansas- Russian Boars
Baylor University- black bear Baylor University || Bear Program || Mascot History
University of Memphis- tiger "TOM III" Memphis Tigers Official Athletic Site - Traditions
LSU- tiger "Mike VI" LSU's Live Tiger Mascot, Mike VI - LSUsports.net - The Official Web Site of LSU Tigers Athletics, Photo Gallery: Tour Mike's New Habitat - LSUsports.net - The Official Web Site of LSU Tigers Athletics
North Alabama- male and female lions "Leo III and Una" UNA?s Live African Lions Ranked No. 1 NCAA Real College Mascots #UNA

Article that says the twenty five best real college mascots: 25 Best Real Animal Mascots in College Football | Total Pro Sports
 
Alabama has jokingly talked about a live elephant. I suggest the University sponsors Bulwalgi, Callee, Ajani, or Tamani at Bham. Of course he could never actually come the campus or games like LSU has Mike. An on campus elephant habitat would be impossible.
 
I just found out that the Benfica football team also uses an eagle (not sure which species) in a pre-game flight display.
 
Jabiru96 said:
I just found out that the Benfica football team also uses an eagle (not sure which species) in a pre-game flight display.
Click to expand...
There used to be a bald eagle, but i believe that a Madrid Zoo handler came to Lisbon with Golden and Bald Eagles to replace the former "eagle handler" :p
Benfica´s rival, Sporting, my favourite team, takes a caged white lion in the presentation game around the field.
 
Azamat Shackleford said:
I know this topic has been dead for years, but since I'd rather not make another topic of it (found this topic actually from the search bar :p ), Baylor University's bear habitat is the first university to be accredited by the AZA, more info here:

Baylor Bear Habitat Becomes First University Facility in the World to Earn AZA Accreditation
Click to expand...
This is interesting, I have family that lives near the university, and I remember wanting to go when I was younger.
 
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