A restaurant in the US has received death threats after it put lion meat on its menu in honour of the World Cup in South Africa.
Il Vinaio's owner insists lions used in burgers were raised on free-range animal farm
Il Vinaio restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona, has received one bomb threat and around 250 emails from animal rights activists after announcing its new dish.
"We have access to some really exotic meats that are USDA-approved," owner Cameron Selogie said.
"One of the ones that raised eyebrows was the lion," he added.
The big cat is not illegal to eat in the US and Mr Selogie insists the lions used to make the burgers were raised on a free-range farm.
"We've had quite a few customers asking us off the cuff when are we going to serve some lion," the restaurateur went on.
"In Africa they do eat lions.
"So I assume if it's OK for Africans to eat lions then it should be OK for us."
But Dr Grey Stafford from the World Wildlife Zoo said serving up a threatened species is sending the wrong message.
"Of all the plentiful things to eat in this country, for someone to request that or to offer that, I was rather stunned," he explained.
Il Vinaio's owner insists lions used in burgers were raised on free-range animal farm
Il Vinaio restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona, has received one bomb threat and around 250 emails from animal rights activists after announcing its new dish.
"We have access to some really exotic meats that are USDA-approved," owner Cameron Selogie said.
"One of the ones that raised eyebrows was the lion," he added.
The big cat is not illegal to eat in the US and Mr Selogie insists the lions used to make the burgers were raised on a free-range farm.
"We've had quite a few customers asking us off the cuff when are we going to serve some lion," the restaurateur went on.
"In Africa they do eat lions.
"So I assume if it's OK for Africans to eat lions then it should be OK for us."
But Dr Grey Stafford from the World Wildlife Zoo said serving up a threatened species is sending the wrong message.
"Of all the plentiful things to eat in this country, for someone to request that or to offer that, I was rather stunned," he explained.