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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an infection.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, 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," said Mr Kertesz.

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

"The approach I follow is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

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

The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "complete success."

She said the staff had observed "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 begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented the curator.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.