Mountain lion

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Description
The cougar (Puma concolor) is a large cat of the subfamily Felinae. It is native to the Americas. Its range spans from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes in South America, and is the most widespread of any large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere. It is an adaptable, generalist species, occurring in most American habitat types. Due to its wide range, it has many names including puma, mountain lion, panther, painter and catamount.

When 16-year-old Katherine "Katy" McLaughlin comes home for the summer, she is met with her father's disapproval because she did not finish a writing assignment at school, but is greeted by her mother, Nell, and Howard. While out riding, Katy is confronted by a mountain lion. Her horse, Yankie, bolts, throwing Katy to the ground. She is saved by a black wild mustang, and feels a connection with the horse. When Katy returns home, she tells her family about the incident but is slighted by her father who expresses his disapproval because she did not finish her writing assignment.

 When Flicka is sold to the rodeo, Howard and Katy enter the competition that Flicka is being used in and Katy escapes with Flicka. Katy becomes lost in the mountains, and allows Flicka to make her way towards the ranch. The family reconciles and searches for Katy as a fierce thunderstorm moves in. Katy and Flicka are attacked by the same mountain lion. Flicka bolts, throwing Katy to the ground and the lion goes to attack her. Flicka protects Katy, but is badly wounded in the process. Katy binds Flicka's wounds and refuses to leave her in the storm, resulting in her developing a fever. Rob finds the two and brings a delirious Katy back to the house.

 Rob thinks Flicka is mortally wounded and believes she should be put down. A gunshot is heard and Katy bursts into tears, thinking Flicka is dead. The next morning, Nell finds Rob walking back to the house, supporting the injured Flicka. She runs outside to help and finds out that the gunshot was him shooting at the mountain lion.