A chilling video has captured the moment a snow leopard lurks over an immobile skier it recently assaulted. Shocking details have emerged from China, where a tourist skiing in Xinjiang province, located in the country’s northwest, was reportedly attacked by the animal as she made her way back to her hotel.

The incident took place around 7 pm on Friday, January 23, in Koktokay Township within the Talat Village area. Startling video footage that surfaced on social media shows the leopard standing guard over the victim.

In another clip from the video shared by 8world, the leopard is seen bounding through the snow, while additional scenes depict individuals assisting the woman to stand up and move away from the perilous situation.

She is shown shielding her face with her hands, blood evident on her clothes, as onlookers shout. Reports indicate that the skier initially spotted the leopard and tried to take a photo, but the distance was too great for a clear shot.

Despite warnings from others, she ventured within approximately three meters of the wild animal, which then attacked and bit her face in a terrifying encounter.

Fortunately, her helmet protected her from severe harm during the assault, with a ski instructor intervening to scare off the leopard with his poles. The injured woman was promptly taken to Fuyun County People’s Hospital.

The Fuyun County Forestry and Grassland Bureau, in conjunction with local authorities, confirmed the attack and reassured the public that the woman was in stable condition, according to an announcement on the Chinese mobile app WeChat.

Following the incident, authorities have ramped up safety measures, patrols, and educational campaigns. Both tourists and locals have been advised to keep a safe distance from wildlife and to report any encounters to the police, as reported by Mothership.