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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent lioness saved from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital oral operation to remove a severely infected fang caused by an infection.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

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

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, leading to bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

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

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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 large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

The curator, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "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 coming days," added Ms Smith.

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