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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.

He believed the dental issue was due to a injury sustained more than a year ago, causing germs creating toxins inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth 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, 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 determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added the curator.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.