A woman skiing was brutally attacked by a snow leopard on Friday after getting too close to the animal while trying to take a photograph, as shown in disturbing video of the event.
The incident, which resulted in the woman’s face being heavily bloodied, took place at approximately 7 p.m. in Fuyun County, near the Mongolian border, reports Jam Press.
Video footage reveals the woman, who allegedly moved within 10 feet of the leopard, lying still in the snow while the animal remained close by following the attack. Bystanders subsequently seemed to assist in leading her to safety as blood streamed from her facial wounds.
According to local accounts, the woman remarkably survived, in part because her helmet helped prevent more serious harm.
Jam Press reports that officials had earlier alerted the public after several individuals spotted the animal near the hotel on the previous day. The leopard was thought to be remaining in the vicinity because of scarce food resources.
Sources suggest the skier noticed the leopard while returning to her accommodation. When she couldn’t capture a satisfactory photograph, she allegedly continued to advance toward the animal until it lunged and clawed her face. A ski instructor eventually scared the animal away by brandishing his poles.
The injured skier was given treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.
Prior to the attack, officials had cautioned guests about numerous snow leopard sightings in the region. Although attacks on humans by snow leopards are historically uncommon because of their timid and secretive disposition, authorities emphasized that these large felines maintain “aggressive tendencies” and advised visitors against staying near them or trying to photograph them up close.
“Recently, snow leopard activity has been observed in Gem Valley, Keketuohai,” the alert stated, per Jam Press. “Snow leopards possess strong aggressive tendencies. When traveling through this zone, proceed swiftly without stopping. Remain inside your vehicle, refrain from approaching to take pictures, and avoid walking unaccompanied in the nearby vicinity.”
Visitors lodging at a nearby inn verified that they had spotted a leopard in the region before the incident, the publication reported.
“We observed it yesterday evening, several kilometers from the attack site, though we cannot verify whether it was the same individual snow leopard,” a witness remarked.
China hosts the world’s largest wild snow leopard population, according to the , with the nation sheltering most of the species’ global numbers.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the attack.