A woman was hospitalised after a gang of otters tore at her skin as she was fleeing.
The pack of eight hungry beasts attacked Tanjung Aru Recreation Park in search of food in Sabah, Malaysia, on September 11.
They spotted the middle-aged woman and surrounded her as they sank their shark teeth into her legs, piercing her pink lycra athletic tights.
She was photographed sitting on a curb, crying, with several deep wounds on her shins and her arms and legs covered in blood.
Chilling footage shows the same ferocious otters running through the car park where they were seen moments after attacking the woman.
The jogger, who was in shock, was taken to a nearby hospital, while a wildlife team was sent to the park to monitor the otters.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Roland Oliver Niun said: “Preliminary investigations found that a group of otters entered the recreation centre to search for food in the park’s pond.”
The otters spotted the middle-aged woman (pictured) and surrounded her as they sank their shark-like teeth into her legs, puncturing her pink lycra sports tights.
Chilling footage shows the same ferocious otters running across the parking space where they were seen moments after attacking the woman.
She was hospitalized after the attack.
The director added that wild otters had entered the pond area before, but the recent attack indicated a change in behavior.
He said: “There is indeed a population of wild otters near the park, and we also see a change in the animals’ behaviour when the community feeds them.”
The fence surrounding the park is expected to be reinforced due to the incident.
Director Roland added: “We also ask the park manager to report any otter sightings after the repairs are made.”
Park visitors were urged to avoid approaching fences and interacting with animals to prevent conflicts with wildlife.
Earlier, a visitor to the park was also attacked by otters while walking in the area with his two friends. He was also hospitalized due to his injuries.
Otters are generally not aggressive towards humans, but may become defensive or aggressive if they feel threatened or cornered, particularly when protecting their young or their territory.
Conservationists working to protect the otter population said the creatures can also display aggression toward each other or other animals, especially during mating season or when competing for food.