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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was performed on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

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

He thought the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, leading to bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "complete success."

She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

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

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