Otter gang terrorizes Malaysian park, jogger hospitalized
In Alfred Hitchcock's famous horror movie, the birds turned against humans. In Malaysia, a similarly terrifying reversal of roles occurred, but the perpetrators didn't come from the sky; they came from the water and moved on four legs.
Tanjung Aru Perdana Park is a green recreational area in Kota Kinabalu, a city in eastern Malaysia. Jogging paths intersect with cycling routes, all surrounded by lush vegetation and ocean views. Sounds like paradise? Nothing could be further from the truth. The place is the operating ground for a very dangerous gang. Its members are otters.
No, it's not a mistake; don't rub your eyes in astonishment. An otter gang attacked Mariasella Harun, a young Malaysian woman who was jogging early in the morning in Tanjung Aru Perdana Park. Suddenly, eight enraged otters appeared in her way. The woman initially ignored them, mistaking the animals for cats. Moments later, she had to fight for her life as the otters furiously attacked her.
Otter attack on jogger
Photos from the scene look extremely gruesome. It appeared as if Mariasella had fallen victim to a knife-wielding attacker, not small, theoretically harmless animals. After fending off the attack, the woman sat on the curb and waited for help to arrive. Wounds were visible on her head, arms, and legs. Her life is not in danger, but she will undoubtedly be left with trauma. Wildlife specialists are handling the case and are tasked with monitoring the behaviour of the "gang."
The mayor of the Malaysian city took the matter seriously, announcing the park's closure until further notice. The incident was the first recorded otter attack on a human in the area. Local authorities plan to reinforce the park's fencing to limit animal movement. Additionally, they are urging walkers to avoid contact with wild animals.
The probable explanation for the incident is that the otters were hungry and searching for food. The encounter with the jogger made them feel additionally threatened and provoked into attacking.
Source: TMZ
