For Immediate Release

Beware of Aggressive River Otters Around Anchorage WaterwaysSeptember 24, 2021— The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) urges Anchorage residents to be alert around local lakes and rivers, where a group of river otters recently attacked people and their pets. On September 1, a child was chased and bitten by a group of four river otters near Dowling and Lake Otis. This week another woman was bitten while rescuing her dog from a similar group of river otters at University Lake. A second report of an otter attacking a dog was received on the same day from a different area of the lake. River otter attacks in Anchorage, while rare, have been reported over the last several years. River otter groups are typically comprised of either a mother with young, or associated bachelor males. The group composition of river otters responsible for the recent attacks is unknown. River otters may travel long distances over land or by utilizing interconnected waterways, and it is possible that the same group of river otters were responsible for the attacks at both locations. River otters have not been reported at the site of the September 1 incident since that time.Because of the risk to public safety, efforts will be made to locate this group of river otters and remove them. Care will be taken to only remove the animals exhibiting these unusual behaviors. Due to their aggressive behavior toward people and pets, it is likely they would continue those actions in any new environment, making relocation problematic as it would simply move the dangerous behavior to another location. Protecting the public by minimizing dangerous human-wildlife interactions is a priority for ADF&G. River otters are present in many areas of the Anchorage Municipality and removal of this group of river otters will not remove the entire population from the area. Any animals lethally removed will be tested for rabies due to their unusually aggressive behavior. There has not been a reported case of rabies in river otters in southcentral Alaska in recent years, however the possibility of disease concern remains.

All river otter sightings in Anchorage, or any wildlife behaving aggressively toward humans, should be reported to the nearest ADF&G office during regular business hours, or by filing a report online at http://www.adfg.alaska.gov and clicking the "Report a Wildlife Encounter" button.

For immediate public safety concerns, please call 9-1 -1.###Media Contact: Cory Stantorf, (907) 267-2811, cory.stantorf@alaska.gov

Easy to kill with a 22.

We have to release them here and theya re NASTY critters. Us a choke pole and dont miss on the first try. They will try to bite you every time.......jk

Ya and they can do the proverbial turn inside their skin to nail you or do twists that would tie a snake into knots in an effort to get at you

I don’t remember who said it, I think it was E J Daily but they said if otters were the size of bears they’d never go into the woods

What kind of sets are you making where you can release an otter?

I have observed otters coming out of the river and traveling into the woods but never thought about following them. It was a one way trip or I would have set on it.

If there were a group of otters stalking dogs and people away from water could be a problem I would think!

I see the plot for a new movie coming.

Being chased by a gang of aggressive otters is nightmare material!

Moosetrot

In the film, Destroying the Myth, they are catching otter in foot holds and releasing them.
I've caught a few in 1 1/2 Victor coils that were alive. I didn't release them, though. Not when they were paying $100 each.

Who is paying $ 100 for an otter?????

A live otter is like an Anaconda.

I've caught otter in pocket sets.

I've caught otter In dirt holes that were made for coyotes.

I caught otter in 120's 220's and 330's,160's #3 dls,and #1 dls,and snares under ice.
An old trapping partner of mine when I was young shot most of his otters with a 25-20.

Jurassic Park , I have caught most of them in my coon sets and several in #3 dukes for beaver. I hardly use beaver conibears in Pa as we are only allowed to use two in the central part of the state and I sort of like setting for them with footholds .......jk

Getting a choke pole on an otter? I can hardly imagine it. I prefer to tranquilize them with a 22.

I have caught otters in dirt holes, with foothold traps.

Otters and fishers. Neither one are a cake walk.

A tap on the nose will stun them then It's choke pole time.

In Missouri they caught them on purpose in No. 11's from what I hear.

I think it is in the Jefferson river Montana they are doing this aggressive stuff with floaters and fishermen as well !