The N.Y. Times reports that Tucson’s Boca Tacos y Tequila will not offer lion meat tacos after extensive publicity which attracted the wrath of lion supporters.

The owner, Bryan Mazon, wrote on Facebook yesterday,

“Due to concern for safety of our families, customers, vendors, and friends we will not be selling African Lion Tacos. We will continue to bring unique and creative menu items, but not at the expense of safety.”

African lions are a threatened species in the wild, and international trade in their meat is prohibited under a United Nations treaty. But meat from lions raised in captivity in the United States can legally be sold, the United States Department of Agriculture has said.

An investigation by CNN traced the meat back to an Illinois supplier who declined to identify its source.