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A Wildlife Rescue Center

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

The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was carried out on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.

He thought the infection was caused by a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing germs creating harmful substances within the fang.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he said.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, curator at the facility, declared the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be somewhat sore 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 the curator.

The successful surgery marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.