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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat 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 four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was performed on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing germs creating toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.

The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, 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 observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult 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 begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.

The successful surgery marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.