THE EXOTIC MEAT FARM OF ANSHU PATHAK
In Riverside County, California, just east of Los Angeles, Anshu Pathak operates a 13-acre exotic meat farm, where his livestock includes emus, llamas, ostriches, alpacas, peacocks, water buffalo, goats, geese and other animals.
Pathak, owner of Gourmet Meat and Seafood of San Bernardino Inc., ships the exotic meat to customers all over the world, keeping some of it for himself. Though he grew up in a Gujarati Brahmin family, he enjoys meat of all kinds. Well, almost all kinds.
“I won’t eat dog,” he told India West during a recent interview. “I have never eaten monkey. I travel to other countries to eat what is legal there. I cannot stop eating meat, I have tried.”
His daughter, Madhvi, is a vegetarian and doesn’t support her dad’s meat obsession. “She stands at the gate sometimes and tells people not to work for me,” he said. “She is the most beautiful gift from God. I have a wicked dream that one day her son turns out like me!”
Animal activists have targeted Pathak’s farm, believing that he’s mistreating the animals. Last December, they cut a fence and rescued 30 llamas, 160 ostriches and a number of other animals.
But Pathak denies mistreating his animals. “They are fed really well with fresh alfalfa; my suppliers know not to bring wilted stuff to the farm and there is always fresh water available,” he told India West. “The water buffalo will walk up to me and lick my face. When an animal loses a baby, I sit near them and talk to them. I love them all.”
Compiled and partly written by Indian humorist MELVIN DURAI, author of the novel Bala Takes the Plunge.
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