Saved from Ukraine Lion Undergoes Critical Dental Operation

A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received vital oral operation to remove a badly decayed fang resulting from an abscess.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on March 14 following a fundraising effort by managing director Cam Whitnall, who raised half a million pounds to support her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The procedure was performed on last week by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said Mr Kertesz.

He believed the infection was caused by a trauma experienced over twelve months back, leading to bacteria creating toxins within the fang.

"The approach I follow is non-human oral health issues need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

The expert clarified that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, removal 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 extract a accumulated infection from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with multiple absorbable stitches.

He also performed a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the staff had observed "a small lump on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"Lira will be a little uncomfortable to begin with, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will begin improving over the coming days," added Ms Smith.

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