A restaurant in Saudi Arabia has been serving hyena meat to customers without their knowledge (Ian Walton/Getty Images). A restaurant in Saudi Arabia has been serving hyena meat to customers without their knowledge (Ian Walton/Getty Images).

Saudi authorities have shut down a restaurant after discovering it was serving hyena meat to customers without their knowledge.

During a surprise inspectation, officials of the municipality of Surat Obaidah were reportedly suspicious that one of the restaurant's workers was standing near the doow while the outlet was closed and cooking was underway in the kitchen.

The officials entered the premises and confiscated the meat, which they later found to be from hyenas. 

“They discovered that it was slaughtering hyena to serve meals for customers. The inspectors immediately shut the restaurant and fined it SR10,000 (US $2,723),” Arabic language daily newspaper Ajel reported.

No health benefits or harmful effects of this meat have been scientifically proved, a doctor told Arab News.

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