Snow Leopard Attacks Skier in China After Photo Approach

A female skier was mauled by a snow leopard in northern China on Friday evening after approaching the animal to take a photograph, leaving her with severe facial injuries but in stable condition following hospital treatment.

The attack occurred around 7 p.m. on January 23 in a snowy area near Talat village in Koktokay Township, Fuyun County, part of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The tourist, dressed in a purple ski suit, was returning to her hotel near the Keketuohai UNESCO Global Geopark when she spotted the snow leopard in a nearby wooded area. Witnesses reported that she gradually moved closer, within about 10 feet of the animal, over the course of several minutes to capture a better image. The leopard then suddenly lunged, pinning her to the ground and biting her face and skull. Video footage captured the immediate aftermath, showing the woman lying motionless in the snow with the predator nearby, blood visible on her face and staining her clothing.

A ski instructor intervened by waving his poles to scare the animal away, allowing bystanders to rush to the victim's aid. They helped her to her feet as she clutched her bloodied face, and she was quickly transported to...