Robert Mugabe isn't known for his subdued taste, and his million-dollar birthday was just as extravagant as people have come to expect.

The ZANU-PF leader saw in his 92nd year with the slaughter of wild animals, including an elephant, which were cooked and served to his guests.

His party took place at an exclusive lodge, spa and golf course in Victoria Falls, and it was estimated to have cost $1million (£648,000). During the celebrations, Mugabe released 91 balloons into the sky with the help of his wife, Grace.

An estimated 20,000 people attended the party at Elephant Hills resort, which was put on to celebrate the birthday of the leader who has been accused of abusing human rights and democracy.

His guests were fed a young elephant, and two buffaloes, two sables and five impalas were also donated to the president by a local landowner. He also threw in a lion and a crocodile to be stuffed as an extra gift for Mugabe. On top of this, 40 cows were offered to the president by two members of his government. A second elephant is going to be shot and given to the Victoria Falls community.

Held a week after his birthday, the celebrations were described as "totally unethical" by wildlife conservationists, and "obscene" by members of the opposition.

"All the money that has been collected to bankroll this obscene jamboree should be immediately channelled towards rehabilitating the collapsed public hospitals, clinics and rural schools in Matebeleland North province," said MDC spokesman Obert Gutu.

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After all, any vote we shall have, shall have been the product of the gun. The gun which produces the vote should remain its security officer - its guarantor. The people's votes and the people's guns are always inseparable twins" EPA Robert Mugabe: Zimbabwean independence leader in pictures On food aid "We are not hungry... Why foist this food upon us? We don't want to be choked. We have enough" 1.5 million people were starving in 2005, especially in the drought-stricken south. Food aid became politicised Getty Robert Mugabe: Zimbabwean independence leader in pictures Mugabe celebrating his 89th birthday He spent £400,000 on his celebrations. Mugabe and his supporters tucked into an 89kg cake and 89 cattle were presented to him from the country's central bank. A lot of his country are starving Getty Robert Mugabe: Zimbabwean independence leader in pictures On power "It may be necessary to use methods other than constitutional ones" AP Robert Mugabe: Zimbabwean independence leader in pictures Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, lights a flame at celebrations to mark 32 years of independence of Zimbabwe in 2012 AP Robert Mugabe: Zimbabwean independence leader in pictures Robert Mugabe with his family Zimbabwes President Robert Mugabe (R) and his wife Grace (L) with their 24-year-old first-born child and only daughter Bona Mugabe (C) pose after the convocation at MDIS-University of Wales graduation ceremony in Singapore, 2013 AFP/Getty Robert Mugabe: Zimbabwean independence leader in pictures Robert Mugabe votes Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe (L) casts his vote by his wife Grace and daughter Bona (R) at a polling booth in a school in Harare, 2013 AFP/Getty Robert Mugabe: Zimbabwean independence leader in pictures Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe at the Kremlin in Moscow in 2015 Reuters Robert Mugabe: Zimbabwean independence leader in pictures Robert Mugabe, then President of Zimbabwe waits to address the United Nations General Assembly General Debate at the United Nations in New York in 2016 AFP/Getty Robert Mugabe: Zimbabwean independence leader in pictures Mugabe’s interests and those of the majority of Zimbabweans drifted far apart. In mid-November 2017, the issue was brought to a head when the army took power in Zimbabwe. On 21 November he conceded and resigned, after 37 years in power. AFP/Getty Robert Mugabe: Zimbabwean independence leader in pictures Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addresses media during a surprise press conference at his residence "Blue Roof " in Harare, on the eve of the country's first election since he was ousted from office a year previous AFP/Getty

On top of the animals, seven cakes were also on offer at the party. One of them was in the shape of the African continent, and most of them were the size of a single mattress.

Guests were also treated to a 90-minute speech, in which Mugabe decried American sanctions against Zimbabwe.

The USA "can't have it both ways," he said. "If they want to be friends then they must be friends with us in total and we allow them to have some safaris. But they can't say 'allow our people to visit, allow our people to have safaris, to kill our lions and take safari trophies to America'."