A group of wild otters viciously attacked a woman jogging in an inner-city park in Malaysia.
Mariasella Harun, 40, was chased and mauled by eight of the mammals on Wednesday morning in Tanjung Aru, in the northern Sabah state of Borneo island.
A graphic video of the aftermath showed the victim huddled on a pavement with deep gashes visible on her arms, as blood streaked her temple, T-shirt and leggings.
Another clip captured the bevy of otters – each as big as a small dog, with slick dark hair – charging across a car park moments before the attack.
It is the latest in a series of incidents involving humans and otters in the area. A man was recently taken to hospital after another unprovoked attack.
Otter attacks are increasing across the whole of South-East Asia, according to wildlife authorities.
Despite their somewhat cuddly appearance, otters have teeth and jaws that are strong enough to crack open shellfish.
They can weigh up to 14kg and grow up to 4ft, including their tail.
Ok, that’s fair, but polar bears and arctic foxes aren’t known to frequent the tropics.
Probably because people like you make them feel unwelcome.
Did you ever stop and think that if you made them feel comfortable, that they might visit more often?
I live nowhere near the tropics. In fact, I live in a place where I could actually see polar bears and arctic foxes if I was so inclined. I like that they exist, but I don’t want them anywhere near me, as specist as that may sound.