LAKA TAHOE, Calif. —Â A Lake Tahoe swimmer is recovering after what’s believed to be a river otter on Sunday. Certified Infant Swimming Resource instructor, Lynnette Bellin, said she was on her weekly swim in the lake when the vicious encounter occurred:
“I was out for a swim along the East Shore of Lake Tahoe and got attacked by a wild otter. I had been swimming about 30 minutes when I felt something grab my leg. I thought it was a person until I saw the otter, and then it kept coming at me with teeth and claws. I tried to push it away but this thing was relentless.” -Lynnette Bellin
The river otter clawed the goggles off of her face cut her temple, cheek, nose. She also was injured on the arm and foot in the attack. Bellin posted a series of videos to her Instagram immediately afterward showing her injuries and her recovery. She ended up requiring 38 stitches including 22 on her foot alone.
The local authorities were contacted and the Nevada Department of Wildlife issued the following statement:
“River otters are native predators and are found in Lake Tahoe and its surrounding waterways. While attacks on people are uncommon, otters are wild animals and can become aggressive if they feel threatened, cornered or are defending young.”
The Nevada Department of Wildlife is working with Nevada State Parks to post signs in the area of the attack to alert visitors to the reported incident and to remind the public to be aware of their surroundings and give wildlife plenty of space.
Lynnette Bellin is recovering well from her injuries and is grateful for the outpouring of support from the local community including a GoFundMe which has raised $2,485 to offset her medical expenses.
As the holiday weekend approaches, Bellin wants to remind the many thousands of people entering the water of Lake Tahoe to be aware they may be in otter territory:
“I learned today that an otter’s territory is 35 square miles. As we approach this holiday weekend, there will be many thousands of people entering these waters within that otter’s territory.”
