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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion saved from war-torn the war zone has received vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an abscess.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.

He thought the infection was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, causing germs creating toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he said.

The expert explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract 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 discovered to have a similar issue.

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

She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving 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.