A recent series of alarming incidents at Lake Tahoe has raised concerns about river otter attacks on humans. A Reno woman was left with nearly 40 stitches after being violently attacked by an otter while swimming. Describing the experience, the swimmer stated it felt as if something had grabbed her leg and was relentless in its assault. Other witnesses and swim instructors are also recounting similar experiences, prompting warnings for swimmers in the area. While otter attacks are rare, the growing number of incidents has sparked significant public interest, particularly after a video capturing one of the attacks went viral on social media.