Photo: Kathleen Reeder Wildlife Photography / Moment / Getty Images
A female skier suffered severe facial injuries after being attacked by a snow leopard in China's Xinjiang region on Friday (January 23). The incident occurred around 7 p.m. in the Talat village area of Koktokay Township in Fuyun County, along China's northern border with Mongolia.
The tourist ignored repeated warnings from fellow skiers and approached within approximately 10 feet of the wild predator in an attempt to take photographs. Some reports suggest she may have even tried to touch the animal.
Chilling footage circulating on social media shows the snow leopard pouncing on the woman, knocking her to the ground, and attacking her face. The big cat only fled after a ski instructor waved poles at it to scare it away.
Video of the aftermath shows the woman being escorted to safety with blood covering her face and clothing. Witnesses noted that the snow leopard had been in the area for about ten minutes before the attack. The victim's helmet likely prevented more serious injuries.
The incident occurred despite local authorities having issued warnings days earlier about increased snow leopard activity in the area. The advisory explicitly warned people not to approach the animals for photos and to remain in vehicles when passing through the region.
"Snow leopards are large predators with strong aggressive tendencies," the warning stated. "When passing through this area, please move quickly and do not linger."
The woman was transported to Fuyun County People's Hospital and is reportedly in stable condition. Following the attack, local officials have increased safety patrols in the area and renewed calls for tourists to maintain safe distances from wildlife.
Staff in the area believe the snow leopard may have ventured into residential areas searching for food due to recent cold weather.