A 40-year-old woman in Sabah, Malaysia, was attacked by otters while jogging on 11 September. Mariasella Harun was on her usual morning jog at Perdana Park in Kota Kinabalu when she was bitten and suffered injuries to her arms, legs, and head. Sabah Wildlife Department director Roland Niun confirmed it was the first reported otter attack in Sabah.
Background
Mariasella had been jogging in the park daily and had seen the otters the week before. She had taken videos of the otters but did not approach them. On the day of the incident, she had jogged for 2km before noticing something emerging from a drain, which she initially thought was a cat. The creature leaped out and bit her, and she soon realised there was more than one otter involved. Unable to stand up during the attack, she was eventually rescued by other joggers who were also attacked. Mariasella was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she received antibacterial medication and the rabies vaccine.
Otters may have felt threatened, public advised to stay away
Niun suggested that the otters might have felt threatened by human presence. He noted that the park is near swamps, drains, and ditches, which are the otters’ natural habitats. The otters, often seen at the park in the morning and evening, might have been attracted to the water and fishing opportunities in the area. They could have felt threatened by humans being near their cubs or den. Niun advised the public to stay away from otters to prevent future incidents, stating, “It is important not to interact, approach or feed these animals as they can become aggressive when they feel threatened.” Authorities confirmed that a nearby fence at the park had been damaged, believed to be the access point for the otters, and it has since been repaired to keep the otters away.
Previous sightings and public safety measures
Mariasella mentioned that she had seen the otters before but had never approached or provoked them. This incident has raised concerns about public safety in areas where wildlife is present. The Sabah Wildlife Department is now considering additional measures to ensure the safety of park-goers, including increased monitoring and potential relocation of the otters if necessary. The public is urged to report any sightings of otters behaving aggressively to the authorities immediately.
Future implications
This unprecedented otter attack has highlighted the need for better management of human-wildlife interactions in urban areas. The Sabah Wildlife Department plans to conduct further studies on the behaviour of otters in the region to prevent similar incidents. They are also looking into educational campaigns to inform the public about the risks of interacting with wildlife and the importance of maintaining a safe distance. The incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between urban development and wildlife conservation.
