Otters are known to most for being a particularly cute marine mammal, but other animals know their well-documented dark side, as otters put their strong teeth and aquatic agility into action as vicious creatures. In a horrific attack last week, three women floating Montana's Jefferson River learned just how violent they can be: The three friends were going for a leisurely, birthday float during the evening of August 2 when, seemingly out of nowhere, one of the otters approach the women floating in inner tubes—and began viciously attacked them.
One women, Jen Royce, later shared on Facebook that she and her friends did nothing to provoke the group of otters nearby and, in fact, didn't even realize they were there in the wide stretch of river they were floating until one descending upon them.
And by descended, we mean the otter voraciously bit the women, over and over. Royce bore the brunt of it. "It bit my face in several places, both of my ears, by arms, my hands, my legs, my thighs, and my ankle. My friends were bit on the hands and on their bottoms. One friend's thumb was SHREDDED and she has bite marks all over her body as well." she wrote in her post.
What's more, all their tubes had popped so the three women were treading water in the middle of the river, too deep to stand, while trying to kick the otter away every time it would come near (to no avail) and simultaneously trying to swim to shore.
By the time Royce made it to shore, it was dark and all three women had been separated; two had made it to opposite sides of the shore and a third was beached on a rock in the river, afraid to get back in as they didn't know where the otter went.
Luckily, one of the women's phone made it to shore with them and was able to dial 911 to contact emergency services for help. But because of their location, it took nearly an hour for help to arrive.
The attack was so severe that Royce had to be life-flighted out to a hospital in Bozeman to receive medical treatment for the numerous bites to her face and body. Royce later shared photos of her wounds to Facebook—but, fair warning, some of the images are quite graphic and bloody.
Royce, whose birthday they were floating to celebrate, later described the attack as "vicious and relentless."
Several agencies responded to their 911 call, including Montana Highway Patrol, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Jefferson Valley Ambulance, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP), Life Flight, and a local landowner.
While the other two victims' injuries weren't as severe, they also were taken to the hospital for medical care. All three women received multiple rounds of rabies and tetanus shots.
Why Did the Otter Attack?
River otter attacks on humans are quite rare. In fact, a research study reports there have only been 44 published cases of otter attacks between 1875 and 2016, so the likelihood of this occurring is extremely small.
Still, MFWP reports that otters can be extremely protective of their young, particularly at close distances. They give birth in April and are often seen with their young into the summer months.
Otters can also be very protective of food sources, and with the entire Jefferson River being under fishing restrictions due to warm water temperatures and low flow levels, it's easy to see how the animals could be stressed about food sources this summer.
While we don't know for sure what prompted the otter to attack, it is likely it felt threatened for one of these reasons.
MFWP has posted signs around this recreational area warning of otter activity.
What Should You Do If an Otter Attacks?
As unlikely as it is that an otter would attack, clearly it can and does happen.
And these women did everything right: If attacked by an otter, Jeff Ewelt, executive director of ZooMontana, told KULR he encourages individuals to fight back and get out of the water. Ewelt reminds the public that otters are crafty and clever in the water, but at a distinct disadvantage on land.
Always give wild animals a wide berth. If you see otters, admire them from a distance and keep making your way past and away from them, just like with any other wild animal.
READ MORE: Montana River Guide Attacked by Black Bear While Camping
