A schoolgirl has been hospitalised after she was mauled by a cougar while playing hide-and-seek with pals.
Lily Kryzhanivskyy, 9, was in the woods with two friends while attending a camp in Fruitland, Washington State in the US at the time of the attack on Saturday.
She jumped out to try and surprise her friends, but a cougar lunged at her instead, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a statement.
Lily was airlifted to a local hospital and underwent several hours of surgery after suffering injuries to her upper body and face.
She was released from the intensive-care unit on Monday and is now in a stable condition.
Her mum has praised Lily for being "very brave and tough" in the face of the attack.
Captain Mike Sprecher of the WDFW Police said: "We are extremely thankful for this little girl’s resiliency and we’re impressed with her spunk, in the face of this unfortunate encounter.
“It happened fast and we are thankful that the adults at the camp responded so quickly.”
WDFW said the young male cougar was killed and further tests confirmed he did not have rabies.
A GoFundMe has been set up for the little girl by her uncle to help fund her medical expenses.
Alex Mantsevich wrote: "Her condition is stable but still remains intubated.
"We are praying to God that she recovers fast and everything goes well during this hard time that they are going through.
"I am asking for your prayers and support of her mom Yelena, due to all medical expenses and time off work, please help raise funds so we all can support and help Yelena take care of her daughter Lily."
In an update on Monday, he wrote: "She is fully aware of what happened to her, she can speak clearly, think clearly, [and] move her arms and legs.
"She talks to her mom and dad, but lots of recovery ahead. Praying for full recovery without any side effects."
Cougar attacks in Washington are very rare and figures show only 20 have been recorded that resulted in injury.
