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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang caused by an infection.

Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," stated Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs producing toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he explained.

Mr Kertesz explained that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

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

The curator, manager at the facility, declared 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 "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added the curator.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.