KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia — A morning jog took a frightening turn for a woman in Sabah, Malaysia, when she was viciously attacked by a pack of otters at Tanjung Aru Recreation Park, officials reported Wednesday. The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, sustained multiple injuries and was left bleeding profusely from bites to her legs, arms, and face.
According to local authorities, the incident occurred when eight otters unexpectedly encircled and attacked the jogger, seemingly in search of food. Surveillance footage captured shortly after the attack shows the otters scurrying across a nearby parking lot.
Emergency services rushed the injured woman to a local hospital, where she is receiving treatment for her wounds. The fabric of her running tights was notably punctured and stained with blood, indicating the severity of the attack.
Officials from the state’s wildlife department indicate that this behavior may be linked to previous instances where park visitors fed the wild otters, potentially altering their natural behavior and expectations. This encounter marks the second time otters in this park have attacked a human, underlining a growing concern about wildlife interactions in the area.
In response to the incident, the local government has announced plans to strengthen the park’s fencing to prevent future occurrences. Authorities are also intensifying their efforts to educate the public on the importance of not feeding or interacting with wildlife, cautioning visitors to maintain a safe distance from animal habitats.
The increased incidence of wildlife attacks in recreational areas frequented by both locals and tourists has prompted wildlife experts to call for enhanced measures to safeguard both visitors and animals. Experts argue that human activities, including feeding and close interaction with wildlife, disrupt natural behaviors and can lead to aggressive animal responses as seen in this latest otter attack.
In addition to physical measures like improving park infrastructure, there is a strong push for educational campaigns to inform the public about the risks associated with interacting with wild animals. This includes the potential for aggression and the broader ecological impacts of human interference.
The situation at Tanjung Aru Recreation Park serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance required to maintain safe interactions between humans and wildlife. As urban areas expand and human activities encroach on natural habitats, the frequency and severity of such encounters may increase unless comprehensive actions are taken to address the root causes of these conflicts.