1 hour ago
Last Updated:January 27, 2026, 19:27 IST
A skier was mauled by a snow leopard in Koktokay, Xinjiang, China while taking photos. The rare attack left her injured but stable.
The snow leopard seen sitting beside the injured tourist. (Right) The injured woman was taken to a nearby hospital. She is currently stable. (X)
A tourist was mauled by a snow leopard in northwest China after trying to get closer for a photo, according to authorities.
CNN quoted Forestry and Grassland Bureau stating that a woman, a skier, was bitten in Koktokay town in China’s Xinjiang region, while on their way back to their hotel. The incident reportedly took place at around 7pm in Fuyun County, along China’s northern border with Mongolia, according to Jam Press.
CCTV reported that the woman had spotted the snow leopard, one of the world’s most elusive animals, gotten out of the vehicle, and approached it to take photos as she was unable to get a good angle and was attacked. The woman’s face was reportedly left face severely bloodied.
Videos that went viral on social media showed the tourist lying motionless on the snowy ground, with the leopard sitting nearby. In another video, two bystanders could be seen helping the injured tourist to their feet and toward safety, as they clutch their face below a ski helmet.
🐆 A snow leopard attacks a skier in North China. These sorts of attacks are extremely rare since Snow Leopards tend to avoid people. Reasons for the attack are unknown pic.twitter.com/Zvl5x94255— The Hakan_OTTOMAN..🇹🇷 (@Fener34King) January 26, 2026
In the clip, a voice could be heard asking whether the leopard had left, and one of the bystanders replied: “It’s gone".
The forestry bureau stated that the tourist was still under treatment and was in stable condition.
“The general public and tourists are urged to strictly abide by the safety guidelines, maintain a safe distance when encountering wild animals, and report to the police immediately to ensure personal safety," it said in an online notice.
According to media reports, very few snow leopards have been known to attack humans.
Snow leopards, usually found on the cold, rocky slopes of High Asia, are masters of stealth and camouflage. According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), they are very rarely seen by humans. There are only 4,000 to 6,500 of them left worldwide – with 60% of their habitat located in China. They are a protected species within China, and a symbol of the country’s mountainous and high-altitude ecosystems.
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First Published:
January 27, 2026, 19:27 IST
News world Skier Mauled By Snow Leopard After Stepping Within 10 Feet For Photo In China
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