2023-08-04 16:12:00
Three vacationers were attacked Wednesday night by an otter in the state of Montana, in the northwestern United States. One of the victims had to be taken to hospital.
An aggressive otter that in July preyed on surfers in California is still running around, and another otter this week injured three vacationers in the US northwest, one seriously, local authorities report.
The three victims, who were leisurely buoying down Montana’s Jefferson River, were attacked by a river otter on Wednesday night.
“Around 8:15 p.m., the three women (…) saw one or two otters. An otter approached and attacked them,” say the authorities responsible for natural areas in Montana.
A woman bitten in the face and arms
“The three women were injured” and “one of them, whose injuries were more serious, was airlifted to a hospital”. Selon NBC Montanathis vacationer was bitten several times in the face and arms.
Perceived as “cute” with its head protruding from the water and its small nimble legs, the wild animal is nonetheless dangerous, recalls the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP).
“Although otter attacks are rare, otters may seek to protect” their young, their space and their food, they point out. Otters, which give birth to their young in April, can thus be seen swimming with them in the summer.
Keep your distance from the otters
Authorities are advising the public to stay away from these animals and to be particularly careful during times of drought, when lower than usual river levels bring humans closer to the animals inhabiting these waters.
But in the event of an otter attack, Montana authorities have advice: “Fight, flee, get out of the water, and get medical attention.”
In mid-July, a 5-year-old sea otter made headlines in the American press following attacking several surfers in Santa Cruz, not far from San Francisco, to steal their precious board.
A video of the animal, filmed daringly climbing on a board under the frightened gaze of a gliding enthusiast and ending up chewing the foam object, made the rounds on social networks.
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