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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has received vital oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support 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 cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was caused by a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human oral health issues should be addressed in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said.

The expert clarified that as the lioness did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

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

She said the staff had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, 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.