Phoebe Beltran immediately screamed for help, which is when the animal -- she later found out was a sea lion -- let go of her arm. She was assisted back to the shore and a lifeguard boat patrolling the water brought all the other swimmers to safety,

Phoebe Beltran was in the homestretch of her 1,000-yard swim when she suddenly felt an intense pain as the sea lion bit her right arm.

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The attack occurred in the area of Ocean Boulevard and Cherry Avenue, in front of the Long Beach Lifeguard Headquarters on 2100 East Ocean Boulevard.

15-year-old Phoebe Beltran has several cuts on her right arm and was hospitalized following the confrontation with the animal on Sunday. Although she has since been released from the hospital and was well enough to return to school, she said the attack has left her shaken up.