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April 18, 2006

Scared Off The Menu: Exotic Game Gets A Break

In a rather ironic twist of fate, disease scares like SARS and H5N1 (bird flu) have caused many people around the world, in Asia especially, to avoid eating wild exotic fare. Instead, they are sticking to safer menu choices like beef, farm-raised poultry and fish.

Normally adventurous Chinese diners are eating fewer owls, civets and other wildlife due to fears of SARS and bird flu

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Wild animals have long been delicacies in China, where they are served at banquets to show off the host’s wealth.

More at: MSNBC.com: Civets, other wildlife off the Chinese menu

The Civet, a group of cat-like creatures, has not only been shown to be a vector of SARS, but there have also been cases of civets contracting bird flu after hunting and eating infected wild birds. This isn't very surprising, considering where the civet lies within the food chain. The Fossa from Madagascar is part of the civet family.

Despite the fact that many civet species are on the endangered species listings, they are still hunted for their musk (perfumes), their fur, and for eating. However, with rising health concerns, fewer and fewer of these exotic animals are showing up in the blackmarket.

Posted by sorsha at April 18, 2006 3:07 PM