Three women were injured, with one woman needing to be airlifted to hospital, after an otter attacked them while they floated down a river on inner tubes.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening at approximately 8:15 p.m. when the three friends were floating on inner tubes about three miles upstream from the Sappington Bridge in Montana, some 75 miles south of the state capital city of Helena, according to a statement released by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks on Thursday afternoon.

The women say they observed one or two otters while they floated down the river when one of them suddenly approached and attacked, causing the women to flee the water and the otter to swim away, authorities said.

“The women then called 911, and several agencies responded, including Montana Highway Patrol, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Valley Ambulance, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Life Flight and a local landowner,” Montana FWP mentioned.

All three ladies have been injured within the sudden attack and obtained medical remedy in Bozeman, Montana — roughly 45 miles east from the place the incident happened.

One of the ladies was injured so significantly that she was airlifted by helicopter for emergency remedy after the animal attack, Montana FWP confirmed.

“While attacks from otters are rare, otters can be protective of themselves and their young, especially at close distances,” authorities mentioned. “They give birth to their young in April and can later be seen with their young in the water during the summer. They may also be protective of food resources, especially when those resources are scarce.”

FWP employees have posted indicators at a number of entry websites to the river advising individuals within the area of otter exercise. No additional administration motion is deliberate at the moment, authorities mentioned.

“FWP advises recreationists to keep a wide distance, giving all wildlife plenty of space,” Montana FWP mentioned. “In drought conditions, low water levels can bring recreationists closer to water-dwelling wildlife. Being aware and keeping your distance can help avoid dangerous encounters, reduce stress for wildlife, and promote healthy animal behavior.”

Said Montana FWP in a last warning to the general public: “If you are attacked by an otter, fight back, get away and out of the water, and seek medical attention.”