🔗 Share this article Rescued Ukrainian Lioness Receives Critical 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 An adolescent lioness rescued from conflict-ridden Ukraine has undergone vital dental surgery to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an infection. The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Smarden, Kent on 14 March following a fundraising effort by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who collected half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine. The Rescue Center Two lions, Amani and Lira, were among the animals rescued from Ukraine and brought to the sanctuary The surgery was performed on last week 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 immediately the damaged fang was highly inflamed," stated the dentist. He thought the dental issue was due to a trauma experienced more than a year ago, causing germs producing toxins inside the tooth. "My philosophy is animal dental problems need to be treated in the safest, the least invasive and most secure manner," he explained. The expert explained that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution." The Animal Rescue Facility The removed fang measured 8 centimeters, equivalent to 3.14 inches The rescue center said the extracted tooth was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with the dentist having to remove a pocket of pus from under the fang and close the large wound with seven dissolving sutures. He additionally conducted a dental procedure on the corresponding top fang, which was discovered to have a similar issue. The curator, manager at the facility, declared the operation was a "complete success." She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "how serious the condition was." "Lira 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," added Ms Smith. The successful surgery represents a significant step in Lira's recovery after her arrival from the conflict area.