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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old lioness saved from conflict-ridden the war zone has received vital oral operation to remove a badly decayed canine tooth resulting from an infection.

The lioness arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March following a fundraising effort by director Cam Whitnall, who collected £500,000 to support her and four other rescued lions.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was carried out on Friday by dentist Peter Kertesz, who has cared for hundreds of large felines.

"Upon inspecting the lioness's oral cavity, I could see right away the broken tooth was severely infected," said the dentist.

He thought the infection was due to a injury experienced over twelve months back, causing bacteria creating toxins within the fang.

"My philosophy is animal oral health issues need to be treated in the most predictable, the least invasive and safest way," he explained.

The expert explained that as Lira no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "logical and humane option."

The Animal Rescue Facility

The rescue center reported the removed fang was 8cm (3.14 inches) long, with Mr Kertesz having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the significant opening with seven dissolving sutures.

He also performed a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

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

She said the staff 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 a little uncomfortable 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 the curator.

The successful surgery marks a major milestone in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.