Rescued from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Surgery

The Big Cat Sanctuary

A three-year-old lioness rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone critical oral operation to remove a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, 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 dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

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

He believed the infection was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs producing toxins within the fang.

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

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

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary said the removed fang 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 dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, curator at the facility, said the procedure was a "total triumph."

She noted the team had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

This vital operation represents a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.