This week, a ski tourist the Koktokay Township of Fuyun County within China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region survived a violent encounter with the illusive snow leopard, one the rarest big cats in the world.

The tourist (name withheld) was returning to her hotel after skiing when she spotted the leopard, approaching within 3 meters to take a selfie with it. Moments after she took the selfie, she was immediately pounced and mauled. Bystanders in the area were able to scare off the leopard, and the woman was taken to the hospital with multiple severe injuries to her face and head. The leopard was later captured and relocated to a wildlife rescue center, and the tourist is reportedly in stable condition with no life-threatening injuries.

Local authorities had previously issued warnings about snow leopard sightings in the area due to the animals occasionally descending to lower elevations for food. While cases of snow leopard attacks are extremely rare, there are no documented fatalities.


Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15516485/skiing-tourist-taking-selfie-rare-snow-leopard-mauled-face.html