A company called Exotic Meat Market takes pride in offering a wide variety of exotic meats, including lion meat for a staggering $50,000 per pound. This is noteworthy because a decade ago, restaurants serving lion meat received backlash for contributing to the endangerment of the species. Anshu Pathak is the owner of the California-based company and sells other unusual items such as bear tenderloins, boneless turtle meat, and python gallbladders. Despite being raised vegetarian, Pathak claims to have tasted every meat he sells. He refuses to disclose his customers’ names for safety reasons, but insists that US customers are fond of his lion meat.
They Use a website to Sell it
Exotic Meat Market’s website still displays lion meat, although the price has risen to $49,999 per pound. The owner of the company, Anshu Pathak, claims that all the meat he sells is popular among immigrants in the US, as they come from all over the world where exotic animals are often consumed. This is possible in the US because many of these animals are raised by ranchers and sold at hunting stores. This move by Exotic Meat Market comes over a decade after a small restaurant in Arizona faced a global backlash for offering lion burgers as part of a promotion for the 2010 World Cup. Similarly, other restaurants have also been criticized for serving lion meat tacos.
Exotic Meat Market’s website still displays lion meat, although the price has risen to $49,999 per pound. The owner of the company, Anshu Pathak, claims that all the meat he sells is popular among immigrants in the US, as they come from all over the world where exotic animals are often consumed. This is possible in the US because many of these animals are raised by ranchers and sold at hunting stores. This move by Exotic Meat Market comes over a decade after a small restaurant in Arizona faced a global backlash for offering lion burgers as part of a promotion for the 2010 World Cup. Similarly, other restaurants have also been criticized for serving lion meat tacos.
Impact on Endangered Species
Despite concerns about the impact on endangered species, it is surprising that lion meat is still allowed to be sold in the US. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), any game meat, including lion, can be legally sold as long as it is not considered endangered. Lions are currently classified as “vulnerable” by the African Wildlife Foundation, indicating a significant risk of extinction in the wild. Nonetheless, authorities are monitoring the trade closely, particularly following the publicity generated by the Tiger King television series, which highlighted the questionable practices of some big cat owners..
What Does Local Authorities Say in Arizona
Authorities in Arizona have expressed concern about the sale of exotic meats, including lion meat, online. The outcry over the sale of lion meat, in particular, reflects broader issues surrounding the regulation and ethical implications of exotic animal trade. While lion meat can be legally sold in the US if the species is not classified as endangered, officials are vigilant about such trades due to potential impacts on wildlife and the ethical considerations involved. The increased scrutiny follows heightened awareness and controversy over exotic animal practices, partly influenced by media coverage such as the Tiger King series.
