Ott r B Ware

[Foggy]

As the PNW is popular for many boaters, this unusual incident may be of interest.

Ordinarily cute and playful, the Northern Sea Otter, is a native to WA. Apparently,
a local "infested and foul" band of them at a WA state marina (Bremerton) actually
attacked a child walking on a dock and pulled the child underwater. The attentive
mom performed her diligence rescuing the child and was bitten for her efforts.

Despite the WA otter population being threatened, endangered and classified as a
Priority Species the local government otter police plan to cull this rowdy group and
have them tested for rabies.

Their protected status rapidly dissuaded my first thought which was to put these
rascals on the menu as we have done with other troubling invasive fish and fauna
(lion fish, asian carp, feral pigs, american bullfrog) to tame their numbers, provide
sport and tablefare.

Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "Waste not. Want not."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/09/13/otter-attacks-child-bremerton-washington-marina/75212190007/

[Hunkydory]

Foggy,

Sea otters have made a huge comeback in Washington State since their reintroduction in 2004, however they are still listed as threatened.

The otter in the case you linked is not a sea otter, but rather a river otter, which are quite common. Their antics can be quite amusing to watch, however their messes left behind on docks & in boat cockpits not quite so much. They are territorial & in rare cases like this one, have attacked & can do a human considerably damage, when they do.

This is a photo I took from my boat of the river otters on the dock in Skagway, Alaska

[Foggy]

Yes, Jay, and thanks.

Gone is the image of an otter being cute, cuddly, playful after reading some about
this wild creature that can do considerable damage to the unfortunate person who
disturbes one. The evidence is out there. Here's just some of it:

River otters being aggressive around Anchorage:
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/applications/publicnotification/2021/releases/09-24-2021b.pdf

One attacking and biting a man and his dog in Florida:
https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/2023/09/28/river-otter-bites-jupiter-florida-man-attacks-why-attack/70988887007/

In northern California and Montana:
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/applications/publicnotification/2021/releases/09-24-2021b.pdf

And another requiring post attack rabies prophylaxis and reconstructive surgery:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17447713/

Even if the bite is minor, river otters harbor some nasty pathogens:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32320341/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32609602/

Eah, out there. Give this critter some space.

Aye.

[Foggy]

Ott rs