A rare and dramatic encounter was recently captured by a herder's drone in Qilian county, Haibei Zang Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province.

The footage shows a snow leopard launching a surprise attack on a blue sheep, only to be dragged dozens of meters across rugged terrain before the prey ultimately escapes.

The snow leopard clamps its jaws around the blue sheep's neck. Fighting for survival, the blue sheep harnesses its full strength, dragging the predator – nearly equal in weight – over rocky ground for more than 50 meters.

Despite holding on with full force, the snow leopard's hunt falters at the final moment. Using the natural ridges and gullies of the mountainside, the blue sheep manages to twist free from the leopard's grip, escaping at the edge of life and death.

(Cover: A blue sheep and a snow leopard, designed by CGTN's Pei Zihan.)