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A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.

The lioness was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who raised £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained over twelve months back, leading to germs creating toxins within the fang.

"The approach I follow is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained.

The expert clarified 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 reported the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a pocket of pus from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

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

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

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

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," commented the curator.

This vital operation represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.