🔗 Share this article

A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang caused by an infection.

Lira arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was performed on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said the dentist.

He thought the infection was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating harmful substances 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 did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and seal the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

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

She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the next few days," commented the curator.

This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.