Lion tacos off the menu following threats

TUCSON, Ariz. — An Arizona restaurant has scrapped plans to offer African lion meat in its tacos.

Bryan Mazon, the owner of Boca Tacos and Tequila, said Monday that his Tucson eatery has received "many threats" against the restaurant, family members, customers and vendors since he announced last week that he was taking prepaid orders for the exotic tacos.

Boca planned to start serving the lion tacos Feb. 16 at a cost of $8.75 apiece.

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The eatery already has served up python, alligator, elk, kangaroo, rattlesnake, oysters, turtle, duck and frog legs in its tacos.

Mazon said he will continue to bring unique menu items to his customers, but not at the expense of safety.

Mazon told the Arizona Daily Star that he had received at least 25 "direct threats" and "probably hundreds" of indirect ones, including many on Facebook.