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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has received vital oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

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

He thought the dental issue was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs producing toxins 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 said.

The expert explained that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

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

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to assess "the extent of the problem."

"Lira 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," commented Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.