Lake Tahoe, California – Certified Infant Swimming Resource instructor Lynnette Bellin is on the mend after a rare river otter attack during her weekly swim in the lake on Sunday. The animal bit and clawed her face, arms and legs, leaving her with dozens of stitches, including 22 on her foot.

What happened

Bellin said she was on her way back to teach a self‑rescue lesson when the otter lunged at her. “It ripped the goggles off my face, got me on the temple, on my cheek, my nose,” she recounted, showing the bite marks. The encounter lasted about five minutes, during which the otter pulled her underwater before she escaped by climbing onto a rock and swimming to Hidden Beach, a three‑quarter‑mile trek.

Response and investigation

Passersby alerted authorities, and wildlife officials arrived to document the incident. Bellin noted that responders were surprised, saying, “We’ve never had an otter attack. Are you sure it was an otter?” The Nevada Department of Wildlife confirmed that river otters are native predators in the Lake Tahoe watershed and, while attacks on people are uncommon, they can become aggressive if they feel threatened, cornered, or are defending young.

Why it may have occurred

Bellin believes she was targeted because she was swimming close to shore to avoid boat traffic, possibly provoking an otter defending its offspring. She described Lake Tahoe as her sanctuary for mental calm and said she hopes to return to the water once her stitches heal.

Safety measures

The Nevada Department of Wildlife, in coordination with Nevada State Parks, plans to post signs near the incident site to remind visitors to give wildlife space and stay aware of their surroundings.

While rare, wildlife encounters like this underscore the importance of respecting wild animals and staying informed about local safety guidelines when enjoying outdoor recreation.

Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.