NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – In a harrowing ordeal, a 69-year-old man is on the road to recovery after surviving a vicious otter attack while swimming in the serene waters of Northern California. Matt Leffers, a resident of San Francisco, recently shared his terrifying encounter, recounting the life-threatening episode that unfolded on September 2.
The attack transpired at Leffers’ family cabin in Serene Lakes, nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, approximately 15 miles northwest of Lake Tahoe. Leffers, an experienced swimmer, was training for an upcoming triathlon on a brisk day in the waters he had frequented for three decades.
As he was nearing the shore during his swim, he suddenly felt an excruciatingly strong grip on his leg, a moment he initially thought was his wife playing a prank. To his shock, when he turned around, there was no one in sight. He realized he had been bitten by an unseen assailant – an otter. The assailant struck once more, intensifying the horror of the situation. Leffers described the terrifying experience, saying, “I thought I was going to die.”
Instinctively, he attempted to swim away, but his escape was thwarted as two otters emerged from the water, strategically positioning themselves to block his path to safety. “Within seconds, I was bit again,” Leffers recounted. “I tried being aggressive and they just kept biting me. I tried to float away to make myself uninteresting. But they bit me again.”
Amid his screams for help, Leffers’ wife, who was nearby, came to his rescue on a paddleboard, positioning herself between her husband and one of the otters. Leffers managed to board the paddleboard, and his wife paddled them to safety. The swift action saved his life.
Following the attack, Leffers was rushed to the hospital, where he received medical treatment. Doctors discovered that he had sustained between 40 to 50 puncture wounds across his body, along with a serious injury to his left arm that required eight stitches.
He also received rabies shots and antibiotics and was eventually discharged from the hospital. Leffers’ case closely followed a similar otter attack on a woman at the same lake, demonstrating a concerning pattern of aggression from the otters in the area.
Peter Tira, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, confirmed that the agency is actively investigating the incident. This year, Northern California has witnessed three confirmed otter attacks on humans, two occurring at Serene Lakes and another at the Feather River in the Sacramento Valley. While otter attacks are considered rare, Tira emphasized that they do happen and often occur when otters feel threatened due to their territorial nature.
Despite their seemingly adorable appearance, river otters are related to wolverines and badgers and possess sharp claws and teeth. Tira advised caution and advocated for maintaining a safe distance from otters, especially when swimming or walking dogs near their habitat.
Leffers hopes that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife takes appropriate measures to address the aggression displayed by the two otters involved in his attack. He insisted on the significance of taking the matter seriously, particularly given the potential danger they pose to swimmers and residents in the area.
Leffers is not alone in his concerns. Residents from the Serene Lakes community have also voiced their apprehensions and have sought the assistance of the state agency in preventing future otter attacks. Two otters have recently “taken up residence” in the area, prompting residents to request intervention.
In a letter addressed to Chuck Bonham, the director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Shauna Lorance, General Manager of the Serene Lakes Water District, conveyed the community’s concerns. The letter referred to two otters allegedly responsible for attacks on at least two individuals. It urged the state agency to act swiftly in addressing the situation, with the community eagerly awaiting a resolution.
The response from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, dated September 21, suggested that the abundance of fish in the lake might be contributing to the otters’ presence and behavior. The agency recommended reducing the frequency of fish stocking and restricting it to the “non-swimming section” of the lake.
Furthermore, the agency acknowledged that the pair involved in the recent incident could potentially disperse from the area, provided they are a mother and pup. The agency committed to formulating a strategy based on ongoing investigations, urging the community to exercise patience while the situation unfolds.
The otter attack serves as a stark reminder of the complex relationship between wildlife and human habitats, emphasizing the importance of coexistence and the need for proactive measures to ensure the safety of both wildlife and residents.
Editor’s Note: Otter attacks on humans are relatively rare but underscore the significance of responsible wildlife interaction. If you encounter wildlife in your area, it’s essential to maintain a safe distance, especially in cases involving wild animals perceived as territorial or threatened.