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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 following 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 Rescue Center

The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.

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

"The approach I follow is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the large wound 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 "total triumph."

She said the staff had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added the curator.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.