đź”— Share this article Saved Ukrainian Lion Undergoes Essential Surgery A Wildlife Rescue Center Lira the lioness from The Big Cat Sanctuary undergoing critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected lower right canine tooth A three-year-old female lion saved from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth caused by an infection. Lira was brought to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine. The Big Cat Sanctuary Two lions, Amani and Lira, were among the animals rescued from Ukraine and brought to the sanctuary The surgery was carried out on last week by veterinary dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats. "When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the broken tooth was highly inflamed," said the dentist. He thought the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, leading to germs producing harmful substances within the fang. "The approach I follow is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he said. The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to hunt for food, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution." The Big Cat Sanctuary Lira's extracted lower right canine tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long The sanctuary reported the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures. He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue. Briony Smith, curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary, declared the procedure was a "complete success." She noted the team had observed "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was." "The lioness will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the coming days," commented the curator. This vital operation marks a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.