Public warned after jogger badly bitten in otter attack in Sabah

Updated

Sep 11, 2024, 07:03 PM

Published

Sep 11, 2024, 05:59 PM

KOTA KINABALU - A woman was badly bitten on her arms, legs and head during an attack by otters while on a routine jog at Perdana Park in Tanjung Aru on the morning of Sept 11.

Ms Mariasella Harun said: “I saw something emerging from the drain and thought it was a cat. But it leapt out and bit me. Suddenly, I realised there were many of them. I couldn’t even stand up when it happened.”

The 40-year-old housewife said she tried to fight off the otters for what felt like five agonising minutes until several joggers went to her aid. But they were also attacked by the otters.

Ms Mariasella, who sustained injuries on her arms, legs and head from the attack, was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, the capital city of Sabah, Malaysia, for treatment. She was administered antibacterial medication and rabies vaccine.

“The doctors told me that I need to be hospitalised for observation, (but I’m) not sure for how long. They also mentioned that my wounds could not be stitched immediately because of potential complications from the bites,” she said.

Ms Mariasella, who was traumatised by the attack, said she jogs in the park daily and spotted otters in the area last week.

She said: “When I saw some otters last week, I took a video but did not go near them. Like always, after dropping off my son at Chung Hwa Primary School in Likas today, I headed to Perdana Park for my jog.

“I reached the park at 6.10am to jog before going for CrossFit training at 8am in Putatan. After a quick warm-up, I started running, and had completed just 2km when the attack occurred.”

Ms Mariasella added that she did not know why she was attacked because she did not go near or provoke the otters.

A viral video shows a pack of otters running along a drain towards Ms Mariasella before attacking her.

Hers is the first reported case of an otter attack and, according to Sabah Wildlife Department director Roland Niun, it is unusual for the generally harmless animal to exhibit such aggression.

Confirming the incident, Mr Niun said a team was sent to investigate, noting that otters typically become aggressive when they feel threatened or provoked.

“They can sometimes be overly protective of their pups, and due to their territorial nature, may attack humans with their sharp canine teeth,” he said.

According to Mr Niun, the otters were able to access the park through a damaged fence.

“However, since the broken fence at Perdana Park – the otters’ entry point – has now been repaired, we ask the public to inform us if the otters are still able to enter. If they return, we will have to capture and relocate them.

“As a precaution, we advise the public not to approach the otters, even though they do not typically attack humans. Please do not feed them or provoke them in any way,” he stressed.

Otters, which are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, are usually found in riverine areas or lakes.

Mr Niun advised the public not to offer food, pet or disturb any otters they encounter to avoid any transmission of disease and to maintain the animals’ well-being.

The otter population is unknown in Sabah, but its presence is an important indicator of healthy riverine habitats. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK