Rescued from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Surgery

A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical dental surgery to extract a badly decayed canine tooth caused by an infection.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, who collected £500,000 to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

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

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

He thought the infection was due to a injury experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs creating toxins inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

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

She said the team had spotted "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented the curator.

This vital operation marks a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.