BOZEMAN — A river otter attacked a woman on the Madison River west of West Yellowstone earlier this week, prompting state wildlife officials to post warnings about a vicious otter in the Hebgen Basin.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokeswoman Andrea Jones says the woman suffered significant bites to her hand Tuesday when she was attacked near the Madison River Bridge. There was an unconfirmed report of a fisherman being attacked later that evening.
Officials say otter attacks are rare, but the animals can be aggressive when defending their pups.
The orange warning signs urge people to use caution around otters and list phone numbers to call in the case of an attack or if someone spots an otter acting aggressively.