With a menu that already included its fair share of "medium rare" meats, such as zebra, bear and beaver, the Taco Fusion restaurant in Tampa, Florida, USA thought that lion would be just another novelty dish
Already well-known for serving exotic game in its tacos, the lion meat tacos, however, caused the most uproar.u00a0
The restaurant put the lion meat tacos on its menu this week at $35 a go. The meat is legal in the United States because lions are only considered a threatened species, rather than an endangered one. The decision by the Florida eatery to serve up lion meat, however, sparked a storm of protest on social media.
ADVERTISEMENT
Restaurant manager Ryan Gougeon was forced to call in police after getting repeated abuse. “Now we’re getting bomb threats, and everything else,” Gougeon said.
Customers gave the lion meat tacos mixed reviews, but a wildlife group said an animal on the threatened species list didn’t belong on a menu.
But after receiving death and bomb threats, the restaurant has now agreed to stop selling it.
Gougeon also insisted that the lion meat is authentic, and comes from a farm that raises the creatures specially for that purpose.
“Thank you all for the feedback regarding the lion meat promotion at Taco Fusion. Some of you were supportive, some of you were angry. We listened to everyone and decided to no longer serve the lion meat tacos,” the restaurant said on its website.
“The lion meat is sold out and we do not plan to carry it again.”u00a0