Woman left covered in blood and in shock after being mauled by a vicious gang of otters
Topics: Animals, World News, Nature
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Viral Press
Topics: Animals, World News, Nature
A gang of otters attacked a runner leaving her scratched and bloodied before they fled the scene.
Yesterday (September 11), a woman named Mariasella Harun was running in Tanjung Aru Recreation Park in Sabah, Malaysia when a group - or should I say bevy or romp - of eight otters came barreling towards her.
Mariasella was running through the park at around just after 6am wearing dark pink running pants and an Adidas t-shirt and running belt.
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Sabah Wildlife Department Director Roland Oliver Niun said he believes the otters entered the park to head to the pond and try and find some food when they attacked the runner - CCTV footage showing them scurrying towards the area.
Mariasella said: "Suddenly, I saw something emerging from the drain next to KGC [Kinabalu Golf Club]. The creature jumped out and bit me while I was running, and there were many of them. I could not even stand up when it happened."
A photograph reveals Mariasella sat on the side of a path, covered in scratches and blood all over her arms, soaking her leggings and even blood on the side of her head and face.
Two other runners are also reported as having come out slightly worse for wear from the park after trying to help Mariasella.
But why would they attack her?
Well, confirming a 'population of wild otters' is known to live 'near the park,' Niun continued: "We also see a change in the behavior of the animals when the community feeds them."
Niun continued: "Otters generally avoid humans, and their perceived cuteness might lead some to mistakenly believe they are friendly and tame.
"Although there are reports of otters being domesticated in other parts of the state, it is not advisable to approach them, as they can bite when provoked.
"In this case, the family of otters might have seen the victim as a threat to their cubs and reacted defensively."
Mariasella was quickly transported to hospital and a member of a wildlife team was called to come and oversee the otters.
The otters are reported as having fled the scene and wildlife officials have since resolved to strengthen the fence around the park in a bid to prevent more otters from getting in again.
Niun added: "We also ask the park manager to report if there is an otter sighting after the repairs are done."
Locals have been warned against going near to any animals in the park and especially against trying to feed them.