If given the opportunity, would do you dare eat peacock?

A restaurant in southwestern China's Chongqing Municipality has put "fried hot pepper with peacock meat" on its menu - something which has surprised many local residents. And to advertise for its speciality, the restaurant has even tied up a real peacock outside its door.

This photo, taken on Friday, May 18, shows a real peacock tied to the outside of a restaurant in southwestern China's Chongqing Municipality to promote peacock dishes.

The Chongqing Morning News reports that the dish, priced at 88 yuan, has been offered in the restaurant for over 10 days now.

Mr. Li from the nearby residential area questions whether it's legal to eat peacocks. In his mind, the bird is listed in the first grade of national protection.

And many others have expressed doubt as to whether the bird is edible, fearing that the meat might be poisonous.

Sources from the wild animal protection department of the local forestry bureau have confirmed that some species of peacock - specifically blue peafowl - can be captively bred and eaten.

However, the restaurant says that the peacock dish has actually not been as popular as had been expected. This is why they tied a real bird outside, they say.

(CRIENGLISH.com May 21, 2007)