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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone vital oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an infection.

Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the dental issue was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, causing germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.

The expert clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.