During an early morning jog in Tanjung Aru Recreation Park, Sabah, Malaysia, a jogger was viciously attacked by a group of wild otters on Wednesday, leaving her with serious injuries and drenched in blood. A reported pack of eight otters encircled the jogger and aggressively bit her, targeting her legs, arms, and face. Social media outlets displayed the aftermath, showing the injured jogger on a curb, her athletic wear bloodstained with visible wounds.
The Sabah Wildlife Department is investigating the incident and suspects the otters were foraging for food within the park bounds. Roland Oliver Niun, the department’s director, pointed out the presence of otters near the park and remarked on their altered behavior due to human feeding habits.
In response to the event, local authorities are planning to enhance the park’s fencing to prevent such incidents in the future and have cautioned visitors against interacting with the wildlife. The injured jogger received immediate medical attention and her encounter marks the second noted otter attack in this location.
Otter attacks, though unusual, do occur. A similar incident happened in November 2023 where a man in California was attacked by otters while swimming and sustained numerous injuries. Experts believe that these dangerous encounters are largely due to humans feeding the animals, altering their natural behaviors.
This recent attack underscores the critical need for park visitors to maintain a respectful distance from wildlife and adhere strictly to park rules for safety.
