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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang caused by an infection.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria producing toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

Mr Kertesz 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 extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

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

She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

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

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