Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Essential Surgery

A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has received critical oral operation to extract a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an infection.

The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on March 14 after a campaign by managing director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to fund 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.

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

He thought the infection was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to germs creating harmful substances inside the tooth.

"My philosophy is animal dental problems should be addressed in the safest, the most conservative and safest way," he explained.

Mr Kertesz clarified that as Lira 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 3.14 inches in length, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the large wound with multiple absorbable stitches.

He also performed a dental procedure on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

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

She said the team had observed "a minor swelling on the lioness's face" but it had been impossible to determine "the extent of the problem."

"Lira will be somewhat sore to begin with, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added Ms Smith.

The successful surgery represents a major milestone in Lira's recovery after her rescue from Ukraine.