ourteen year old Jasmine underwent dental surgery with a difference yesterday. The operation was performed in the middle of a field - and Jasmine is a lioness.

The remains of the canine tooth, clearly snapped off below the gum line.

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'Jasmine is quite friendly and allows us to get close - sometimes even licking our faces through the wire of the lion house', said senior keeper Shelley Parkes. 'So we spotted the broken tooth almost immediately.' Shelley believes Jasmine broke her tooth during a playful fight with one of the other lions at Woburn.

Concerned that the broken tooth would become infected, Woburn staff decided to call in renowned animal dentist Peter Kertesh, a Harley Street expert who also works with human patients.

Renowned dentist Peter Kertesh, who divides his time between his human and animal patients.

With a date set, plans were put in place to prepare for the delicate operation.

The lions were locked into separate enclosures overnight - surgery would be difficult enough without the rest of the pride interfering. Jasmine would have to be darted - effectively a general anaesthetic - and to avoid moving her too far, the operation would take place just outside the lion house.

The rains of the previous weeks had cleared away and the weather was good as the convoy of vehicles arrived in the lion enclosure.

An operating table was constructed from bales of straw with a board across the top. Anaesthesia equipment was bolted on, power generator started and an array of surgical instruments laid out nearby.

Martin Hosegood, Woburn's veterinary surgeon waits patiently to dart Jasmine after carefully preparing the exact dosage of tranquiliser for a lioness her size.

Veterinary surgeon, Martin Hosegood, prepared his tranquiliser dart and pistol as Jasmine watched through the wire. The other lions, disturbed by the unusual activity, were also watching and occasionally a huge chorus of roaring lions accompanied preparations.