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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness saved from war-torn the war zone has undergone critical dental surgery to extract a severely infected fang caused by an infection.

Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was performed on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, leading to bacteria creating harmful substances within the fang.

"The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he said.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal 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, curator at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the team had observed "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."

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

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