Lion Meat Burgers Draw Protests to Restaurant

A Mesa restaurant owner dreamed up a novelty meal to give customers a South African experience during the World Cup. But serving burgers made with African lion meat has brought plenty of protests.

Cameron Selogie told The Arizona Republic his IL Vinaio restaurant has received more than 150 e-mails from protesters as well as a bomb threat. He says African lions are on the protected list, but not endangered.

The restaurant ordered 10 pounds of the African lion meat from a USDA regulated free-range farm in Illinois, which Selogie says he researched to make sure they were humane.

USDA spokesman Jim Brownlee says lion meat is an uncommon dish, but he knew of no prohibitions against it.

[bonesaw1962]

Just an FYI if you want people to respect what you have to say in your comments. Lay off the capitals. In case you don't know where the <caplock> key is, it's just above your left <shift> key. As is you come across as shrill and annoying.
'

[F_u_SICK_PPL]

I CANNOT BELIEVE THE SICK SICK SICK PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE LEAVING THESE COMMENTS!!!!! WHO WERE YOUR PARENTS?!?!? DID YOU HAVE ANY?!?!? DO YOU HAVE ANY VALUES OR MORALS IN THIS WORLD????!?!?! I AM ABSOLUTELY APPALLED, DISGUSTED, AND DEEPLY SADDENED BY LIONS BEING SERVED!!!! AS IF THERE ISNT ENOUGH TO EAT IN AMERICA?!?!?!? LIONS SHOULD BE ON THE ENDANGERED LIST - if you did any research you'd know lion populations have reduced by 95 % in the past few decades!!!!!!! THERE ARE ONLY 2,000 IN THE WILD LEFT!!!!!!!! ITS SO SAD. I HOPE GOD HAS HIS JUSTICE WITH ANYONE INVOLVED AND THAT YOU SICK PEOPLE WHO APPROVE GET WHATS COMING TO YOU!!!!

[askagain]

What difference does it make if the meat is from lions, horses, cows, chickens, rabbits, or snakes? The only things that should matter is that the animals be killed in a humane manner, that the meat be butchered properly, and that the meat be safe to eat.

[PaulSFbay]

If someone involved in the "farming" of lions, or hunting of them in Africa, gets mauled, I would not be upset.

[VBnews]

yet I dont see a huge outcry for people to stop eating fish, cows, chickens, etc....*** is the difference...we should just eat whatever...even humans

[VBnews]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....yummy yummy lion...mmmmm

[bundye]

Some people will eat anything!

[mahdeealoo]

Sick.

[Alice2112]

How IRONIC that there was an add for coffins for OBESE people (doublewides) right below this article.

Americans are truly horrible representatives of the human species of animals.

[rockcutr]

micky dons has been feeding mystery meat for years....what is your problem?
Fear of meowing....
Pussyphobia...

[Alice2112]

Lions don't belong on our continent PERIOD, let alone being raised in ILLINOIS for food. Sign this petition to shut down this "farm". SICK.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/shut-down-lion-quotslaughterquot-farm

What's next - Humans? All's fair game according to many above posts, right?

Herbivores eating carnivores is beyond the gluttony and hubris that already runs rampant in America.

[sharkbait911]

Are you kidding me? You have nothing better to do than to promote this BS? Get over it people. There are larger issues that should be addressed other than a few people eating farmed lion meat.

[hankvreeland]

Are you for real?