A skier has been mauled by a snow leopard while edging closer to take a snap of it.
Multiple people spotted the animal in the area the previous day and the authorities had issued warnings.
One leopard injured a skier as she made her way back to her hotel.
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She moved to within 10 feet of the animal after spotting it in the snow and not being able to get a good angle for a snap, according to reports.
It pounced on the victim and reportedly mauled her face, with her helmet managing to protect her from more serious injuries.
The leopard was eventually chased away by a ski instructor waving his poles.
Footage showed the victim lying in the snow in a purple ski suit after the leopard apparently mauled her.
The injured tourist is then seen being helped away from the scene with blood pouring from her face.
The animal attack took place in the Talat village area of the Keketuohai UNESCO Global Geopark in Fuyun County, located in northern China on the border with Mongolia, at around 7pm on Friday (23 Jan).
The injured skier was sent to a local hospital for treatment to her injuries in a stable condition.
A snow leopard was spotted by tourists staying at a guesthouse in the area the day before.
It was lingering around a grass area opposite the hotel, presumably due to lack of food.
The owner said: “We saw it last night, a few kilometres from where the attack took place, but we can’t confirm if it’s the same snow leopard.”
The authorities warned citizens that multiple sightings of snow leopards have been reported in the Geopark in recent days, as reported by Need To Know.
The warning stated: “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.”
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% of the world’s snow leopard population.
But attacks on humans are considered rare as they 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.”
An investigation into the attack on Friday is ongoing.
