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The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion rescued from war-torn the war zone has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected fang resulting from an infection.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The procedure 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 highly inflamed," stated Mr Kertesz.

He thought the infection was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing toxins within the fang.

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

The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary said the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

The curator, manager at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the operation was a "total triumph."

She noted the staff had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.

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