Three women encountered a distressing incident while floating on the Jefferson River in Montana. The event, which took place around 8 p.m., involved an otter attack that left the women injured. The location was approximately three miles upstream from the Sappington Bridge, about 10 miles southeast of Caldwell. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks reported the incident.
As the trio leisurely floated on inner tubes, they noticed “one or two otters” nearby. Unexpectedly, one of the otters swam over and attacked them. The otters departed once the women managed to get out of the water, but not before inflicting injuries.
The severity of the injuries led to one of the women being airlifted to a hospital. The woman who was flown to the hospital suffered severe bites to her face and arms, while the other two women sustained superficial wounds. All three victims were residents of Montana.
The wildlife department clarified that it does not intend to take any action against the otter involved. While otter attacks are uncommon, the department pointed out that otters can be protective of themselves and their young, especially when approached closely. It mentioned that otters typically give birth in April and have their offspring with them in waterways during the summer.
No specific identities of the attacked women were disclosed in the official statement. Authorities emphasized the importance of giving wildlife sufficient space to avoid such incidents.
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For reference, adult Northern river otters typically weigh about 20 pounds and measure around 47 inches in length. These creatures can be found in various parts of Montana, according to a field guide provided by the state government.