China investigates 'rare pangolin banquet' in Guangxi

The pangolin is the world's most trafficked mammal

Chinese authorities have launched an investigation into whether officials held a banquet where the endangered pangolin was served, local media reported.

It comes after pictures of the feast, held in the southern province of Guangxi in 2015, resurfaced online in recent days and caused anger. But Guangxi officials have reportedly denied the allegations.

The pangolin is on China's list of endangered wild animals. Those caught eating it can be jailed for up to 10 years.

'In love with this taste of wildlife'

In recent days a post by Weibo user Ah_cal from July 2015 began circulating online. In the post, which has since been deleted, Ah_cal included several pictures of what appears to be a lavish Chinese banquet and a close-up photo of a pot of cooked meat.

The Weibo user said he was hosted to a meal by officials where "cooked pangolin was served to us to eat".

"It was my first time eating it, the taste was very good, and I have already deeply fallen in love with this taste of wildlife!" he says in the post.