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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received vital oral operation to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection.

Lira arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 after a fundraising effort by director the sanctuary's leader, 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 an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," stated the dentist.

He believed the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, leading to bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is non-human dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "logical and humane option."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

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

She said the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added the curator.

This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.