First-hand Recount of Unprovoked Otter Attack on Jefferson River

Three women were injured by an otter Wednesday, August 2, 2023, about three miles upstream from Sappington Bridge. The women, who were floating the river on innertubes were approached and attacked; all three sustained injuries; Stephanie Johnson, of Bozeman, was life-flighted by helicopter to Bozeman Deaconess.

The attack was sudden and unprovoked; Jefferson County Sheriff Tom Grimsrud said he believed there may have been otter pups nearby the otter mother was protecting. All three injured women are local to Montana and familiar with the outdoors. Little did they know just how vicious otters c...