Zimbabweans eat killer lion

People are usually told not to eat animals which can eat humans

A group of Zimbabwean villagers has exacted sweet revenge on a lion which had wreaked havoc on their livestock by eating it, local media reports.

"It ate our animals so it is only fair we eat it, too," one man said after enjoying the barbecued meat.

Others said they wanted to eat the lion to inherit its bravery and strength.

Game wardens killed the lion after a six-month rampage against goats and cattle in Muzarabani, 200 km (125 miles) north of the capital, Harare.

Local villagers then asked the parks authorities for the "huge" carcass of the male lion.

"A few lucky individuals got to have a piece or two - some said they had eaten the meat in the belief that they would get lion-like bravery and strength," a witness said.

A senior official at Zimbabwe's Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said that people are not encouraged to eat the meat of animals which can eat humans.

"Our policy is that we offer only the carcasses of herbivores such as elephants," he was quoted as saying.