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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an infection.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.

He believed the infection was due to a trauma sustained more than a year ago, leading to bacteria creating toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound 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 operation was a "complete success."

She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.