Otter attack prompts temporary closure of recreational park in Malaysia

Updated

Sep 12, 2024, 01:50 PM

Published

Sep 12, 2024, 01:20 PM

KOTA KINABALU – The large presence of otters at Malaysia’s Perdana Park in Tanjung Aru has forced its operator to temporarily close the recreational park for safety reasons.

A red and white notice which reads: “Perdana Park is now closed for safety reasons until further notice. Thank You” by the park operator has been circulating on social media, followed by an announcement by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall.

The order for closure was issued by Kota Kinabalu City Hall in response to an incident on the morning of Sept 11, where the presence of aggressive otters posed a threat to park-goers.

Mayor Sabdin Samitah confirmed that a notice was distributed to park operators to suspend activities until further notice.

He stressed that the closure is necessary to ensure the safety of visitors while the council, in collaboration with relevant agencies, conducts further investigations.

“The council takes this incident seriously and has acted swiftly to close Perdana Park to avoid any further incidents,” he said, urging the public to comply with the closure for their own safety.

On Sept 11, Ms Mariasella Harun was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after she was attacked by a pack of otters while jogging along the Perdana Park tracks.

Two other joggers came to her rescue, but unfortunately, they too, were attacked.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Roland Niun said this was the first otter attack reported in Sabah, adding it was unusual for this generally harmless animal to exhibit such aggression.

However, he noted that otters tend to be aggressive when they feel threatened or provoked.

Otters, a protected wildlife under Schedule 2, Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, have been spotted in several other recreation parks in the city of late, particularly those closer to riverine areas and lakes.

“As a precaution, we advise the public not to approach the otters, even though they do not typically attack humans.

“Please do not feed, pet or provoke them in any way. This is also to avoid any disease transmission and to maintain the otter’s well-being,” he advised. THE STAR/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK