The owner of an Arizona restaurant said he canceled plans to serve tacos with African lion meat after receiving "many threats."

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Bryan Mazon, owner of Boca Tacos and Tequila in Tucson, said he canceled the Feb. 16 African lion taco night because he and his employees received "many threats on the safety of our restaurant, our families, our customers and our vendors," the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, reported Tuesday.

"While Boca will always take the utmost pride in offering creative and unique menu items ... we will not do so at the risk of safety for their families, customers, vendors, supporters, and friends," Mazon said.

Mazon said he received between 20 and 25 "direct threats" and "probably hundreds" of indirect threats. He said police are investigating.

The owner said it was the first time he had received threats as a result of exotic taco Wednesdays, which previously featured frog legs, alligator meat and rattlesnake.