Norbert’s reign of semi-fame began in 1950 after he and three buddies from Tulane kidnapped LSU’s Bengal tiger, Mike. Mike the Tiger was named after Mike Chambers, the school’s athletic trainer. The animal had been purchased for $750 from a zoo in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1936. The money was raised by collecting 25 cents from every LSU student.

Source: As a prank, Macon man once stole LSU’s live tiger mascot | Macon Telegraph