🔗 Share this article

The Big Cat Sanctuary

An adolescent female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a severely infected fang caused by an infection.

Lira was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected 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 cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist.

He thought the dental issue was caused by a trauma sustained more than a year ago, leading to bacteria producing harmful substances within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

The expert clarified that as Lira no longer required to hunt for food, extraction was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to remove a accumulated infection from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a dental procedure 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 noted the staff 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 out of her body, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," commented Ms Smith.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.