The Daily Populous Wednesday January 28th, 2026 evening edition
Authored by abc.net.au and submitted by one_brown_jedi

A female skier has been mauled by a snow leopard in China after she attempted to get a selfie.

The rare attack happened at the Keketuohai Scenic Area in Altay prefecture, a winter tourism destination, Chinese media and CNN have reported.

Footage widely shared on Chinese social media shows the leopard in a snowfield, then cuts to the animal approaching a person lying on the ground.

The snow leopard is seen leaning over the woman's body before it reportedly stalked away. (ABC News: Supplied)

CNN reported the skier was bitten while on her way back to her hotel.

The video shows bystanders helping the injured woman to safety while she clutches her face, which is obscured by a ski helmet.

The woman has reportedly been taken to hospital, where she is in a stable condition.

Video on social media shows the woman being escorted away. (ABC News: Supplied)

China is home to the largest number of wild snow leopards in the world and shares a border with nine countries where they are found.

According to various snow leopard conservation organisations, there have been no verified instances of a snow leopard attacking a human.

According to Snow Leopard Trust, a conservation charity, they are shy and elusive with a solitary nature.

While they are not seen as a threat to humans, they are able to kill animals two to four times their own weight.

The big cats are most active at dawn and dusk and regularly patrol home ranges that can cover hundreds of square kilometres.

A snow leopard is usually more likely to run away when disturbed by a human than attack.

Snow leopards are also found in Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Exact numbers are unknown, but there may be as few as 3,920 worldwide.

The species faces several threats, including poaching.

Its main prey, such as wild sheep and goats, are also threatened by hunting.

Mining and climate change also pose threats to their habitats.

Approximately 600 snow leopards live in captivity.

In Australia, snow leopards are found at Taronga, Billabong, and the Melbourne Zoo.

knowledgeable_diablo on January 28th, 2026 at 08:39 UTC »

Maybe best to just leave wild beast be wild beasts alone and with plenty of boundaries.

Why so many people think every animal on earth is TikTok ready and keen to be part of their main character timeline is just staggering.

sinurgy on January 28th, 2026 at 08:22 UTC »

Now this is truly r/LeopardsAteMyFace material!

AsAboveSoBelow228 on January 28th, 2026 at 08:16 UTC »

Snow Leopards are not generally aggressive and should be left alone.