A SMILING selfie shows the moment before a skier was mauled by a snow leopard and left with blood pouring from her face.
The tourist spotted the dangerous predator while skiing off-piste and rushed over to get a cute snap with the wild beast.
Seconds later, the big cat pounced and left the woman with serious injuries.
Harrowing footage shows the leopard calmly sitting next to its motionless victim just moments after the brutal attack.
The tourist was on her way back to her hotel in the resort town of Koktokay, in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China, when she spotted the rare cat in a wooded area nearby.
A group of passersby rocked up moments later to get a closer look at the beautiful but deadly animal.
The woman then decided to approach, phone in hand, looking to get a picture.
She was able to get a foreboding selfie with the beast, before it suddenly lunged at her.
The leopard mauled at her face and even bit down on her skull with its sharp jaws, according to witnesses.
Onlookers were left fearing the woman could have been killed as horrifying footage showed her lifeless on the ground.
But fortunately the predator was unable to penetrate her thick ski helmet.
A brave ski instructor eventually chased away the cat by frantically waving his poles.
Shocked bystanders were then able to rush over to the woman and drag her to safety.
There has never been a recorded human death due to a snow leopard attack.
The woman’s purple ski suit was now stained a crimson red with her hands covering up her bloodied face as she was rushed to hospital.
Doctors at Fuyun County People’s Hospital miraculously confirmed the victim’s condition was stable and not life-threatening.
Authorities said that snow leopard activity had been repeatedly detected in the area in the days before the attack.
Several safety warnings had been repeatedly directed at tourists in the areas, they added.
The warning stated: “Recently, snow leopard activity has been detected in Gem Valley, Keketuohai.
“Snow leopards are large predators with strong aggressive tendencies. When passing through this area, please move quickly and do not linger.
“Do not get out of your vehicle or approach to take photos, and never walk alone in the surrounding area.”
Local authorities said rescue measures were launched immediately after the mauling.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/15869923/woman-selfie-snow-leopard-mauled-blood/