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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has received critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an abscess.

Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the damaged fang was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

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

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

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

She noted the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to assess "how serious the condition was."

"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," commented the curator.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.