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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he said.

The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

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

She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.