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🏔️A skiing tourist was injured in a snow leopard attack on Friday evening while returning to a hotel in Altay, Xinjiang, #China.
Around 7pm yesterday, the tourist was attacked in a roadside forest belt near Talat village in Koktokay Township. The victim was taken to hospital… pic.twitter.com/ubzJp2oW0D
— News.Az (@news_az) January 24, 2026
Snow Leopard Attack on Skier: The Full Account
A skier suffered injuries after a snow leopard attack on Friday evening in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Local authorities in Fuyun County confirmed the victim remains stable after hospital treatment, according to China News.
Selfie Attempt Triggers the Mauling
The attack occurred around 7 p.m. on January 23 in Talat village, Koktokay Township, part of Altay Prefecture. The skier moved dangerously close to the animal to take a selfie on her way back to her hotel, despite official warnings issued the previous day after the leopard was first seen in the area, reports The Daily Mail. Authorities said she approached to within about 10 feet after spotting the cat in the snow and tried to adjust her position for a better shot before the animal suddenly pounced, mauling her face. A nearby ski instructor rushed in and drove the leopard off by waving his poles, preventing further injury. The woman’s helmet shielded her from more serious harm, and she was transported to a local hospital, where she remains in stable condition. Tourists had already reported seeing the same leopard near a grassy area by a hotel the day before, and local officials suggested it may have been roaming near human activity in search of food.
Social media videos captured the scene: a figure in a purple ski suit sprawled on snow, the leopard nearby in a watchful stance, blood visible on the person’s face. China News reported these clips, which spread rapidly online.
Officials Respond After Snow Leopard Attack on Skier
Multiple agencies, including the forestry and grassland bureau and public security bureau, ramped up patrols and safety measures. Officials urged residents and visitors to remain vigilant, maintain a safe distance from wildlife, and report sightings. Investigations into the event continue as winter tourism surges in the area.
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Koktokay International Ski Resort: Location and Context
Talat village lies within Koktokay Township in Fuyun County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang, with the Koktokay International Ski Resort (also called the Keketuohai International Ski Field) as the nearest ski area. The resort centers on Keketuohai Town, about 11 miles (18 kilometers) east of the town core, with Talat noted as a nearby village that supports tourism through homestays and shuttle services for skiers.
China’s Snow Leopard Population and the Rarity of Attacks
China hosts the world’s largest wild snow leopard population, spanning more than half of their global habitat across nine of the 12 range countries, according to the Snow Leopard Trust. These elusive cats avoid human contact, hunting herbivores like Himalayan blue sheep at dawn and dusk. Solitary by nature, females raise cubs alone for 18 to 24 months.
Experts emphasize that such attacks are a rarity. Biologist George Schaller, a leading authority, told The New York Times no verified case exists of a snow leopard killing a person. Their reclusive habits limit overlaps with people, even in dense populations or tourist zones.
