00:0040-year-old jogger Maria Sela Harun recounted being attacked by otters during her routine
00:06jog at Perdana Park, Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu on Wednesday morning.
00:12Initially mistaking one for a cat, she was suddenly bitten and fought off the otters
00:16for about five minutes until other joggers helped, only for them to be attacked as well.
00:22Maria Sela sustained injuries to her arms, legs and head and was rushed to Queen Elizabeth
00:27Hospital where she received antibacterial medication and a rabies vaccine.
00:33Doctors recommended hospitalisation for observation due to potential complications from the bites.
00:40Still shaken, Maria Sela, who jogs daily in the park, said she had seen otters a week
00:46prior and did nothing to provoke the attack.
00:49Sabah Wildlife Department Director Roland Niyoun confirmed that this was the first reported
00:54otter attack in the city, which is unusual given their generally non-aggressive nature.
01:00Niyoun explained that the otters likely entered through a damaged fence and would be relocated
01:05if they returned.
01:06He also urged the public not to feed or provoke the animals.
01:10Otters are protected under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 and are
01:17usually found in rivers or lakes, serving as indicators of healthy habitats.
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