This is the chilling selfie a skiing tourist took with a rare snow leopard just moments before it mauled her face.

The woman was left seriously injured after the attack in the Talat village area of the Keketuohai UNESCO Global Geopark in Funyun County, northern China, at around 7pm on January 27.

Local reports say the incident happened when the skier moved dangerously close to the wild animal while trying to take a photo on her way back to her hotel. 

The image shows the woman smiling as the leopard crouches just behind her in the snow, appearing poised to pounce. 

Video footage taken moments later shows the tourist trapped underneath the leopard in deep snow before being helped away by people, clutching her blood-covered face.

Despite warnings the previous day by authorities after the animal was sighted in the area, the skier moved within 10 feet of the animal after spotting it in the snow and reportedly not being able to get a good enough angle for a snap.

The animal then pounced, mauling her face before a ski instructor chased it away by waving his poles.

The skier was saved by her helmet from more serious injuries, but was taken to a local hospital for treatment where she remains in a stable condition.

 

The woman was left seriously injured after the attack in the Talat village area of the Keketuohai UNESCO Global Geopark in Funyun County, northern China, at around 7pm on Friday

The woman was left seriously injured after the attack in the Talat village area of the Keketuohai UNESCO Global Geopark in Funyun County, northern China, at around 7pm on Friday

Local reports say the incident happened when the skier moved dangerously close to the wild animal while trying to take a photo on her way back to her hotel

Local reports say the incident happened when the skier moved dangerously close to the wild animal while trying to take a photo on her way back to her hotel

 

The leopard was spotted by tourists staying at a hotel in the area the previous day, near to a grassy area, likely because of hunger.

The owner of the hotel said: 'We saw it last night, a few kilometres from where the attack took place, but we can't confirm if it's the same snow leopard.'

Local authorities warned citizens that multiple sightings of snow leopards had been reported in the Geopark in recent days, stating: '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.'

China is home to the highest number of wild snow leopards in the world, according to the Snow Leopard Trust.

 

Despite warnings the previous day by authorities after the animal was sighted in the area, the skier moved within 10 feet of the animal after spotting it in the snow and reportedly not being able to get a good enough angle for a snap

Despite warnings the previous day by authorities after the animal was sighted in the area, the skier moved within 10 feet of the animal after spotting it in the snow and reportedly not being able to get a good enough angle for a snap

The animal pounced on the woman and mauled her face before being chased away by a ski instructor waving his poles at the beast

The animal pounced on the woman and mauled her face before being chased away by a ski instructor waving his poles at the beast

 

The country has around 60 per cent of the world's snow leopard population, but attacks on humans are considered rare as the animals are known for their shy and elusive nature.

American biologist and conservationist George Schaller previously said on the subject: 'I don't know of a single case of a snow leopard that would attack and kill people.'

The species, now classified as vulnerable, live across 12 countries in Central Asia, including China, India and Mongolia.

An investigation into the attack on Friday is ongoing.