Female tourist trying to take ‘perfect selfie’ of snow leopard mauled and left with bloody face after coming across the wild animal near the ski resort she was staying in northern China.
At what cost the perfect selfie? A ski tourist trying to take a selfie with a snow leopard in the wilderness was mauled moments later as the ‘wild animal’ set on her, leaving her with a bloody face.
The woman was left seriously injured after the attack in China’s northwestern Xinjiang region where she had been holidaying. Local reports described the attack taking place at the Talat village area of the Keketuohai UNESCO Global Geopark in Funyun County, northern China, on 23 January.
The incident happened when the skier moved dangerously close to the wild animal while trying to take a photo on her way back to her hotel.
Wild animal is seen ready to pounce seconds earlier behind ‘smiling’ woman taking selfie
The image shows the woman smiling as the leopard crouches just behind her in the snow, appearing poised to pounce. Moments later after the tourist having encroached in the wild animal’s habitat pouncing on the hapless tourist.
Video shared on Chinese social media shows the tourist trapped underneath the leopard in deep snow before being helped away by people, clutching her blood-covered face.
Despite warnings the previous day by authorities after the animal was sighted in the area, the skier moved within 10 feet of the animal after spotting it in the snow and reportedly not being able to get a good enough angle for a snap.
The animal then pounced, mauling her face before a ski instructor managed chased to chase away the wild animal.
Local medics say the woman was saved from more serious injuries by the helmet she was wearing at the time of the attack. The un-identified woman is understood to be in a stable condition the dailymail reports.
Prior warnings of snow leopard
The attack happened after the snow leopard was spotted by tourists staying at a hotel in the area the previous day.
The owner of the hotel said: ‘We saw it last night, a few kilometers from where the attack took place, but we can’t confirm if it’s the same snow leopard.’
Local authorities had warned citizens about the presence of snow leopards in the Geopark in recent days, stating: ‘Recently, snow leopard activity has been detected in Gem Valley, Keketuohai.
‘Snow leopards are large predators with strong aggressive tendencies.
‘When passing through this area, please move quickly and do not linger.
‘Do not get out of your vehicle or approach to take photos, and never walk alone in the surrounding area.’
Snow leopard is a protected species in China as visitors are warned to follow safety guidelines
In a statement, officials in Fuyun county said they had increased patrols, reinforced protective barriers and intensified public awareness campaigns in and around the scenic area.
They were urging visitors to strictly follow safety instructions, avoid approaching wild animals and immediately report sightings to local authorities.
China is home to the highest number of wild snow leopards in the world, according to the Snow Leopard Trust.
The country has around 60 per cent of the world’s snow leopard population, but attacks on humans are considered rare as the animals are known for their shy and elusive nature.
American biologist and conservationist George Schaller previously said on the subject: ‘I don’t know of a single case of a snow leopard that would attack and kill people.’
Snow leopards are a protected species in China, live across 12 countries in Central Asia, including China, India and Mongolia.
