Snapping selfies can backfire in an instant when wild animals are involved. A skier in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was hospitalized on Friday following an extremely rare snow leopard attack, which occurred when the victim tried to take a picture with the big cat. According to reporting from China News, the skier remains in stable condition.
The attack, which was caught on film by bystanders, occurred sometime around 7 p.m. local time on Jan. 23. It occurred in Talat village, Koktokay Township, in Altay Prefecture, northern China. Allegedly, the skier was on her way back to her hotel when she spotted the animal and moved dangerously close to take a picture with it. It attacked, mauling her face, before a nearby ski instructor chased the leopard off.
Warning: The video below is graphic.
The Daily Mail reports that warnings had been issued the previous day, when the snow leopard was first sighted in the area. Nevertheless, the victim allegedly got within 10 feet of the animal to take her photo.
The video shows blood dripping down the front of her snowsuit after being rescued. She was taken to a local hospital and treated for her wounds. Authorities said she is in stable condition. However, if it hadn’t been for her helmet, her injuries would have likely been far worse.
Snow Leopard Attack in Northern China
The area where this attack occurred is in a remote part of Northern China near the border of Mongolia in the Altai Mountains. This region is home to one of the largest populations of snow leopards in the world. Even still, an attack like this is almost unheard of.
Snow leopards are known for being extremely reclusive. They’re often called the “ghosts of the mountains.” Interactions with humans are rare, and attacks are even rarer. According to a wildlife biologist interviewed by The New York Times, there has never been a confirmed case of a snow leopard fatality.
This incident at China’s Koktokay International Ski Resort is among the few recorded snow leopard attacks ever. But it’s an important reminder that wildlife still poses real threats, even when you’re just posing for selfies.
In 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) released the Selfie Control App, which it designed to help people make smarter choices when photographing wild animals in Yellowstone National Park, where human–animal interactions can turn violent, and often do because someone is trying to get a picture. It doesn’t have a “snow leopard” setting. But the concept is the same: Keep your distance when taking selfies with animals.
Or, better yet, leave the phone in your pocket and just absorb the moment.
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