Snow Leopard Attacks Tourist in China

On January 23, a tourist in China had a close encounter with a snow leopard that turned dangerous when he approached the animal for a photo, according to official reports and state media.

The tourist, whose identity remains unknown, was skiing when he spotted the leopard. He left his vehicle to get a better look. This incident took place in Koktawtai within the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, as noted by the Forestry and Grassland Administration of China, with CNN providing additional details. Interestingly, the skier was a woman, as reported by the New York Post.

After the attack, footage surfaced showing the skier with visible injuries—clutching her face while receiving help from a group of men. Though her face was blurred in the video, blood was evident. In the background, a snow leopard could be seen standing at a distance.

Chinese reports indicated that she had come within 10 feet of the animal. Thankfully, her ski helmet cushioned the impact enough to prevent major injuries, though she was hospitalized and her condition was reported stable. The ski instructor attempted to fend off the snow leopard by waving his pole.

This incident followed a series of snow leopard sightings in the region, which had led to a warning from officials. The warning stated, “Snow leopards are large, aggressive predators. Don’t linger and move quickly when passing through this area. It’s advisable not to exit your vehicle, approach for photos, or wander around alone.”

Snow leopards, classified as critically endangered, inhabit the mountains of Central Asia. Estimates suggest that only between 3,920 and 6,390 of these animals are left in the wild. They tend to be solitary and are most active during the early morning and late evening.

Authorities are currently looking into the details of the attack.