Jen Royce, a Montana woman, is grateful to be alive after being savagely attacked by an otter while celebrating her birthday.
Taking to her Facebook page, Jen Royce wrote a post detailing the brutal incident that greatly affected her and two friends.
Otter attacks Montana woman
On August 2nd, Jen Royce, of Bozeman, Montana, opted to enjoy her 37th birthday by floating the Jefferson River.
Royce and her group of friends were tubing and partying during the evening in the middle of the water near the Three Forks and the Lewis and Clark Caverns.
According to Royce, an angry otter quietly swam behind and attacked them. The woman said that the incident took place while it was dark and lasted about five minutes, but it seemed like an eternity.
Royce revealed that she saw the animal charging her way, but did not have the chance to warn her friends.
Jen Royce shares details about otter attack
Her Facebook post contained multiple photos showing the bodily harm caused by the creature. Royce explained in the caption: “I didn’t even have a chance to get the words, ‘there is an otter behind you,’ out of me before it attacked her.”
The photos shared by Jen Royce hinted that the carnivorous mammal was out to devour the three humans it encountered that fateful day.
Royce had a bloodied and bruised face, with cuts around her eyes, cheeks, and nose. She appeared to have stitches on her lips and forehead.
The otter chewed off a portion of one of the woman’s ears. Royce suffered multiple injuries to her arms and legs.
Royce feared for her life
Royce wrote that she feared that her friends would not have survived the ordeal. Royce shared: “Without ANY exaggeration, God’s honest truth, I did not think I was going to make it out of that river. I had no clue if my friends were going to make it out. But by the grace of God, we did.”
She shared more details about her companions’ disturbing injuries by writing: “My friends were bit on their hands and their bottom. One friend’s thumb was shredded, and she had bite marks all over her body as well.”
The married mother of three explained that it was difficult to flee the little beast because it was dark, and the water was deep. The otter’s surprise attack made the situation chaotic.
She further revealed in her post: “We were helpless. I tried to kick it away, but I would just get attacked somewhere else. I tried to hold it back at one point by grabbing its arm to hold it away while trying to swim closer to shore”
The three friends were able to shake off the dangerous otter and swim to shore, where they called 911. According to Royce, it took almost an hour for help to arrive.
While waiting for the arrival of the ambulance, Royce confessed that she was in terrible pain and was scared for her life.
The woman said she felt dizzy and was afraid that if she closed her eyes, she would never be able to open them again.
She revealed to her online followers: “I made the choice, knowing the pain it would cause my friend to tell her I loved her and to ask her to watch over my kids.”
Otter attack leads to serious injuries
The seriousness of Royce’s injuries meant that she had to be flown by helicopter to a local hospital. Her friends were treated on the spot and were given rabies treatments.
She concluded her post by revealing that she underwent surgery for her injuries and was happy to report that she had a section of her earlobe resected.
Jen Royce said the recovery process is long and painful because she is suffering from several puncture wounds. Royce showed gratitude for still being alive and has recently posted an update to thank all the people who showed support or penned encouraging words.
She wrote: “I am lucky, and I am grateful, and I am alive.”
Royce sets up fundraiser
Jen Royce has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for her medical bills. Attacks by otters are rare, but according to experts, they could be deadly.
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks have issued a statement warning of the potential dangers. Their statement reads: “While attacks from otters are rare, otters can be protective of themselves and their young, especially at close distances.”
Male otters are called dogs, and females are called bitches. They are very protective of their offspring, or pups, and can kill humans if they deem them prey.
Jeff Ewelt, executive director of ZooMontana, shared: “In the wild, they are pretty territorial animals, especially around their young and especially if resources are scarce.”
Anyone facing an otter should fight back, according to Ewelt. He said: “Fighting back is going to be the best option. Because they’re not going to give up on you, especially if you’re in the water, they’re going to try to eliminate the threat.”
Royce is trying to get her life back to normal.
