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The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a campaign 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 last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing germs producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

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

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said the operation was a "complete success."

She said the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable 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.

This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.