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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.

He believed the dental issue was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, leading to bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.

The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the operation was a "complete success."

She said the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.