A woman swimming in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, required 38 stitches and rabies treatment after being attacked by a river otter, local authorities reported. The incident occurred on Sunday near Hidden Beach on the Nevada side of the lake, a popular destination for tourists and residents.

Lynnette Bellin of Reno described the encounter as sudden and intense. She told a local television station that the otter grabbed her leg and pulled her underwater, displaying a strength she compared to that of a human. Bellin recounted how the animal pursued her, biting and clawing at her feet as she attempted to escape. She managed to reach safety by climbing onto rocks and eventually found a hiking trail, where emergency responders assisted her and transported her to a hospital.

River otter attacks are considered unusual, according to officials from the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Kenzie Margiott, a department spokesperson, emphasized the rarity of such events but warned that wild animals should always be given space, particularly in late summer when otters may be protecting their young.

This incident marks the second recorded otter attack in the Lake Tahoe area within a month. Earlier in August, a man swimming near Pope Beach on the California side of the lake suffered eight bite wounds during a similar encounter and also required hospital treatment.

Wildlife experts continue to advise caution and respect for local fauna to prevent confrontations. The department encourages visitors to maintain distance from otters and other wildlife to ensure both human and animal safety.