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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion saved from war-torn Ukraine has received vital oral operation to extract a severely infected fang resulting from an abscess.

Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

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

He thought the infection was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing germs producing harmful substances within the fang.

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

The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract 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 discovered to have a similar issue.

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

She said the staff had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added the curator.

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