🔗 Share this article

A Wildlife Rescue Center

An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden the war zone has received critical dental surgery to remove a severely infected canine tooth resulting from an infection.

The lioness was brought to a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March after a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to fund her and four other rescued lions.

The Rescue Center

The procedure was carried out on Friday by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see right away the damaged fang was highly inflamed," said Mr Kertesz.

He thought the infection was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing bacteria producing toxins within the fang.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

The expert explained that as Lira did not need to hunt for food, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center said the removed fang was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a pocket of pus from beneath the tooth and close the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was discovered to have a similar issue.

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, said the operation was a "total triumph."

She noted the team had spotted "a minor swelling on Lira's jawline" but it had been difficult to determine "how serious the condition was."

"The lioness will be somewhat sore to initially, but now that the infectious materials are removed from her system, she will start to feel much better over the next few days," added Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her arrival from the conflict area.