The Long, Dark History of Animal Killing and ‘Gross Food’ on ‘Survivor’

A contestant on the US reality show Race to Survive recently caused quite a stir after killing and eating an endangered New Zealand bird species during filming, prompting a warning from the NZ government.

But reality TV has a long history of questionable animal welfare, and Survivor is perhaps the most notorious example. Controversy dates back to the show’s very first season, which aired in 2000, and saw PETA protests outside CBS’ offices in Manhattan after contestants marooned on the island of Pulau Tiga grilled rats. (“It tastes like chicken... if you use your imagination,” said one.)

The show only continued to get gnarlier from there, with pig slaughter, shark hunting and a whole roost of chicken-related shenanigans. Below are some of the most memorable and shocking Survivor moments involving food and animals—and animals as food.

Read more at The Daily Beast.