How about some fish tacos?
A Tampa, Fla. restaurant has pulled lion-meat tacos off its menu after receiving significant backlash online and from animal activists. Taco Fusion, which recently opened its doors this year, sold the specially-made taco for $35.
According to the Tampa Tribune, owner Ryan Gougeon only began serving the new menu item a few days ago, but it didn’t take long for word to catch on. Gougeon said he began receiving threats online after he put it on the menu.
(MORE: Out of His Comfort Zone: Florida Man Living with Lions for 30 Days)
While selling or importing lion meat isn’t illegal, lions are listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s list of threatened species, just one step short of being endangered.
Taco Fusion acknowledged its decision to pull the lion taco online:
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 carry lion. The lion meat is sold out and we do not plan to carry it again.
(MORE: Farmers vs. Lions: A Battle to the Death in Kenya)
The restaurant’s specialty involves serving atypical game meats such as ostrich, bison, rattler, yak and reindeer. The Tampa Tribune reports that even zebra meat may even make it onto the restaurant’s repertoire.
Meanwhile, if you were curious about trying one, we’re sorry to disappoint. How about something a little less controversial on the menu, like a lobster taco?