¡¡¡AAuthorities told restaurants in the Cambodian capital on Friday to stop serving rare animals or face closure.

¡¡¡¡Many restaurants in Phnom Penh serve rare animals because patrons believe eating parts of animals such as tigers, bears, scaly ant eaters, porcupines and turtles can cure diseases and ensure sexual potency.

¡¡¡¡Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Seng Tong asked around 100 restaurateurs to sign agreements with the city administration promising to take rare wild animals off their menus.

¡¡¡¡¡°We have educated you for years to save wildlife. But there has been no result,¡±he told restaurant owners at a special meeting.

¡¡¡¡¡°Now you must sign, and halt this practice immediately,¡±he said.¡°Whoever is stubborn will face the court and have their restaurants shut down.¡±