A snow leopard has left a tourist at a popular Xinjiang ski destination who wanted to take close-up photos of the animal with severe wounds to her face, according to local media reports on Saturday (Jan 24).

A tourist was recently attacked by a rare snow leopard and parts of the intense encounter, including the moment the tourist was rescued, were caught on camera. The tourist, who is a skier and was returning to their hotel,

China.com reported that earlier snow leopard sightings in the Baoshigou area on Jan 17 and 21 had led the authorities to advise tourists to remain in vehicles, avoid approaching the animals and not walk alone. The area lies along the main route to the Koktokay International Ski Resort.

A woman hitting the slopes in Fuyun County, northern China, is said to have got within 10ft of the animal in a bid to get the best angle before it attacked.

The endangered big cats are hanging on in Russia, the first country-wide survey of the animal suggests, while scientists and conservationists debate future protections.