Photo is representational.
A swimmer was left with over two dozen bite marks after two otters decided to attack him. Matt Leffers took a trip to his family’s cabin where he began to swim in Serene Lakes in Placer County. He first remembered feeling a bit on his left calf which turned into many bites as he tried to get away from whatever was attacking him.
“These things were so aggressive that, literally, I felt like they wanted to kill me,” he said.
“It is by far the most terrifying experience I’ve ever had in my life. Nothing even comes close.”
Leffes only discovered exactly what his assailant was when the otter popped out of the water right in front of him. Leffer’s wife eventually was able to rescue him in her paddleboat. According to local authorities, Leffers is not the only person to be attacked by otters in the past year. A couple of dogs were attacked in Redding, California.
River otters tend not to be aggressive and do not attack humans on the regular. River otters however will defend their territory if they feel “threatened.”
A letter written to the local community from Serene Lakes warned that the uptick in otter population might have to do with the large amount of fish found in the lake.
“We recommend reducing the frequency of fish stocking and limiting stocking to the non-swimming section of the lake,” the letter reportedly read. “The goal of managing the lakes’ fisheries in this way is to reduce the amount of food available in the swimming area, creating an area that is less attractive to the otters. Additionally, we advise the community members to avoid swimming in the lakes for the remainder of this season, and to increase educational signage in frequently used public areas.”
Leffers is expected to be fine.
Sources
https://people.com/swimmer-attacked-by-otters-northern-california-terrifying-experience-8386912
