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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess.

Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was carried out on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

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

He thought the infection was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs creating toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

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

The curator, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had observed "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 start to feel much better over the coming days," commented Ms Smith.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.