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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.

The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

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

He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the procedure was a "complete success."

She said the staff had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added the curator.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.