What has been happening to otters lately? While an aggressive otter that in July had repeatedly stolen surfboards in California is still running, another animal this week injured three vacationers in the northwest of the United States, one seriously, report local authorities. The three victims, who were quietly descending on buoys the Jefferson River, in the state of Montana, were attacked by the river otter on Wednesday night.
"At around 20:30 p.m., the three women (...) saw one or two otters. An otter approached and attacked them," Montana's natural areas authorities said. "The three women were injured" and "one of them, whose injuries were more serious, was airlifted to a hospital."
Rare but dangerous attacks
Otters often perceived as cute, with their small heads sticking out of the water and nimble little legs, are no less dangerous. "Although otter attacks are rare, they may seek to protect" their young, space and food, Montana authorities said, while recommending that the public stay away from these animals. In the event of an otter attack, "fight", and flee as soon as you can on dry land, advise the authorities.
In mid-July, a 5-year-old sea otter made headlines after attacking several surfers in Santa Cruz, not far from San Francisco, to steal their precious board.
Santa Cruz wildlife officials are trying to capture a sea otter that has been menacing surfers and stealing their surfboards pic.twitter.com/5Uznx7R9Fz
— UberFacts (@UberFacts) July 27, 2023
A video of the animal, filmed full of audacity climbing on a board under the frightened gaze of a lover of gliding and ending up biting the foam object has made the rounds of social networks.