They say people are always interested in a “man bites dog” story, but what about when a group of otters bite a woman?
As ridiculous as it may sound, that is exactly what happened to a Malaysian woman who was jogging in Tanjung Aru Recreation Park recently. The woman, 40-year-old Mariasella Harun, was running through the park on September 11 when a posse of eight otters started chasing after her.
A Malaysian news report features video captured of the incident. Harun was running through the picturesque park which features a small stream that runs alongside a walking path. Frisky otters can be seen running through the water along side her, jumping over each other and acting roly poly as otters do. But these woodland creatures did not treat their new human friend like Snow White.
Instead, they were out for blood. Harun apparently mistook one of the creatures for a cat, and before she knew it the slinky mammals were crawling all over her and taking chunks out of her skin. In the video she can be seen seated and shaken after the attack with blood all over her face, arms, and legs.
Roland Oliver Nunn of the Sabah Wildlife Department said they think the otters made their way into the park to hunt for food in a pond. Nunn said otters are known to live near the park, and that staff have noticed their behavior changes when people feed them.
Park visitors should avoid the animals if possible, staff said, and a perimeter fence will soon be beefed up in an effort to keep the animals out.
Harun was taken to the hospital for treatment.
It is not common for otters to attack humans, but it does happen. In 2023 a California man was mobbed by a pack of otters that left him with 40 puncture wounds. Matt Leffers said the creatures were “so aggressive” that he was convinced they wanted to kill him. It is not known what may have sparked the attack.
