A female skier was mauled Friday evening by a snow leopard after she moved close to photograph the animal near a resort area in far northwestern China, according to local authorities, who said bystanders and a ski instructor drove the cat away and the woman was taken to a hospital in stable condition.
Authorities in Altay Prefecture said the encounter happened in the Koktokay area, which draws winter travelers to the Keketuohai UNESCO Global Geopark. The case is notable because snow leopard attacks on people are uncommon and the species is strictly protected nationwide. Officials have increased patrols and public announcements around lodging areas as investigators review videos and interview witnesses to map the animal’s path and determine whether additional measures are needed this week.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. Fri., Jan. 23, along the village edge of Koktokay Township, where the skier reportedly spotted the big cat while returning to her hotel. Witness accounts say she inched closer over several minutes to get a clearer shot before the leopard crouched and lunged, knocking her into the snow and biting her face and scalp. A ski instructor and other bystanders shouted and waved ski poles, forcing the animal to retreat toward rocky slopes. The woman, whose name was not released, wore a helmet that appeared to blunt more serious injuries, according to people who helped escort her away. In a public advisory posted after the attack, local authorities said, “Do not approach or photograph wild animals,” urging visitors to move quickly through areas where wildlife has been seen and to report sightings.
Officials said the victim was taken to a county hospital and remained in stable condition with significant facial lacerations. Patrols were stepped up at approaches to the geopark and near clusters of hotels and guesthouses. Rangers documented fresh tracks in packed snow close to parking areas and logged multiple sightings over two evenings near guest lodgings. The specific animal has not been identified; it is unknown whether the same cat was seen earlier in the week near Baoshigou, a corridor leading toward the Koktokay International Ski Resort. No additional injuries were reported. Authorities said they are reviewing videos filmed by tourists and businesses and will analyze the sequence of sightings to determine if the leopard lingered or simply passed through the village fringe.
Snow leopards range across high mountain terrain from Central Asia into western China and are listed as vulnerable. Researchers estimate several thousand remain worldwide, with a large share in China’s remote ranges. Attacks on people are exceedingly rare, in part because the cats are typically shy and active at dawn and dusk. Winter tourism has surged in Altay Prefecture, where granite valleys, frozen rivers and ski hills draw visitors to resorts around the geopark. Officials in recent weeks issued reminders not to leave vehicles near reported wildlife, not to walk alone at night on the village perimeter and to avoid lingering for photos when animals are visible along ridgelines or roadsides.
Local forestry and tourism departments said they are compiling an incident report that will summarize the timeline, witness interviews and ranger logs. Depending on the findings, forestry police can order temporary closures at habitual crossing points, authorize targeted hazing to push wildlife away from crowds or add camera traps and lighting along connector roads. Investigators also plan to collect and document any clothing and equipment that came into contact with the animal, a routine step when protected species make physical contact with people. Hotels and shuttle operators were told to stage vehicles closer to the main gate at dusk and to route passengers through better-lit corridors while patrols continue.
On the ground in Koktokay, staff at nearby lodgings posted printed notices at entrances and along walkways after the attack. Resort workers said evening operations continued with periodic checks of lanes on the village fringe. Residents described the rescue as quick: a ski instructor kept the crowd back while others used scarves and coats to control bleeding until medics arrived. Short clips shared afterward showed the woman alert and walking with assistance, her jacket and helmet streaked with blood. “She was talking and responding,” said a worker who helped guide visitors away from the scene, adding that patrol trucks used loudspeakers as they swept side streets leading toward the square.
As of Tue., Jan. 27, officials said the woman remained hospitalized in stable condition and no new sightings were reported near major lodgings. Authorities said they expect to release an update after completing interviews and video reviews later this week.
Author note: Last updated January 27, 2026.