A swim in Lake Tahoe turned into a harrowing experience for Lynnette Bellin, a swim instructor from Reno. During her swim last weekend, Bellin encountered an otter, resulting in a lengthy and painful attack.
In a video recounting the incident, Bellin explained that she had been swimming in Lake Tahoe for 25 years without any knowledge of otter presence. Her awareness changed abruptly during a swim on Sunday, approximately 30 minutes into her routine.
The specific route she was swimming is one she has used every Sunday since July, according to the Reno Gazette Journal. Bellin initially thought another person was pulling at her due to the force. However, she quickly realized it was an otter when she felt its teeth and claws.
“The harder I fought, the more aggressive it became,” Bellin shared. In her struggle, she attempted to throw the otter aside, but it retaliated, inflicting bites and scratches on her hands and face.
As she screamed for help, she noticed nearby people on a bike trail, but they couldn’t hear her cries. Eventually, Bellin managed to retreat to some rocks, though they were slippery, and she struggled to escape as the otter pursued her.
Bellin finally evaded the otter by climbing onto a larger rock. Despite her escape, the otter continued to circle the area. She then climbed over a fence to reach a bike trail, making her way back to her starting point, barefoot and bleeding.
Upon her return, Bellin was met by police, firefighters, and an ambulance. She drove herself to the emergency room, where she received 38 stitches and rabies vaccinations.
“Swimming in Lake Tahoe is my peace and sanctuary,” Bellin expressed in a video post-visit. “That was taken from me by the otter attack.”
This incident underscores the importance of staying alert in nature. What begins as a peaceful swim can quickly transform into a struggle with wildlife.