Perth Zoo’s lioness Makeba underwent a tooth extraction after a “questionable canine” was flagged to a team of vets, footage posted on December 2 shows.

Keepers noticed that Makeba was a “bit grumpy” and suspected it was related to her tooth, but after she was put under anaesthetic and a veterinary dentist assessed it, they realised the damage was irreparable and the tooth had to be removed.

The team said the operation was a “roaring success,” and the lioness will be enjoying a “soft food diet” for the next while.

The zoo said many lions in the wild “die of infection caused by exactly this sort of thing.” Credit: Perth Zoo via Storyful