Uncommon river otter assault injures three ladies, with one airlifted to hospital

Three ladies have been injured following a uncommon assault by a river otter in Montana.

The incident occurred on a distant stretch of the Jefferson River, the place at the very least one otter swam up and attacked the ladies on Wednesday.

One sufferer was airlifted to hospital after sustaining extreme wounds to her face and arms, and her situation is unknown.

The two different ladies additionally sustained accidents to their arms.

“It’s just not something you run into very often,” Jefferson County deputy sheriff James Everett mentioned.

“Bears do it, moose too and occasionally a deer, but otters? That’s not normal.”

No effort has been made to catch or take away any of the animals, as it’s believed the assault was achieved in defence.

Northern river otters are members of the weasel household. Eating a weight loss program made up of primarily fish, they will attain the dimensions of a small canine.

Morgan Jacobsen, who works with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, beneficial that individuals “fight back, get away and get out of the water” if they’re attacked by the creatures.

The incident follows a string of otter assaults on surfers in California final month, with the creatures gaining widespread consideration after wrestling surfboards from their house owners.