đź”— Share this article Saved from Ukraine Lion Receives Critical Dental Operation A Wildlife Rescue Center Lira the lioness from The Big Cat Sanctuary undergoing critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected lower right canine tooth A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn the war zone has received vital dental surgery to remove a badly decayed fang caused by an abscess. The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected ÂŁ500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine. The Big Cat Sanctuary Two lions, Amani and Lira, were among the animals rescued from Ukraine and brought to the sanctuary The procedure was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats. "When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz. He believed the infection was caused by a injury sustained more than a year ago, leading to germs creating harmful substances inside the tooth. "My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the most conservative and most secure manner," he said. Mr Kertesz explained that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option." The Animal Rescue Facility The removed fang measured 8 centimeters, equivalent to 3.14 inches The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches. He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue. The curator, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "total triumph." She said the team had spotted "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was." "The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator. The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.