Announced with the motto "Visit the Lion Safari to meet our wild friends," the park offers visitors a 20-minute ride through the lion enclosure in the woods inside caged trucks. 

Animal rights defense group Antalya Candost Association petitioned authorities for an investigation into the business on the grounds that a "lion park license" isn't even offered in Turkey, noting that the venue is operating illegally.

"We found out that 11 lions including one cub are being kept here, and the cats came from a breeding farm in Balıkesir. We don't even know if the center is licensed," said rights defender Arife Yanık.

The safari park is a threat to the animals' safety, Yanık said, noting that the cats will be put to sleep in the case of an escape, and will have to pay with their lives.