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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an infection.

Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.

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

"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.

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

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."

She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.

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