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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has undergone critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang caused by an infection.

The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The surgery was performed on Friday by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

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

He thought the infection was due to a injury sustained over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating toxins inside the tooth.

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

Mr Kertesz clarified that as the lioness did not need to catch prey, 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 under the fang and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

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

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

She said the team had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented the curator.

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