🔗 Share this article

A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.

Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a campaign by director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was caused by a injury experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria creating toxins within the fang.

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

The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The sanctuary reported 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 corresponding top fang, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "total triumph."

She noted the team had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," added the curator.

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