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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to remove a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.

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

Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph."

She said the team 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 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.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.