KOTA KINABALU: Otters may look adorable or seem playful but people are advised against petting them as the animals may react aggressively if threatened.

       State Wildlife Department director Dr Augustine Tuuga said due to their territorial nature, they could attack humans.

       “Otters have sharp canine teeth. For the safety of both humans and the otter, it is best not to touch or feed them when encountering these animals,” he said.

       A recent viral video showed a group of park goers petting and feeding an otter, which is believed to be someone’s pet, at the Tun Fuad Stephens Park in Bukit Padang near here.

       Tuuga said the animal in the video was a smooth-coated otter which is a protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.

       He said the population of otters in Sabah is unknown but it’s threatened due to decreasing habitat, food sources and poaching.

       Tuuga noted that otters were normally found near rivers or lakes and were an important indicator of healthy riverine habitats.He said it was not advisable to feed or pet or disturb the animal to avoid any disease transmission and to maintain the otter’s well-being.

       When asked, he said otters could be kept as pets with permission from the department.

       Tuuga said the applicant would have to be screened and assessed before they are given the permit to rear these animals.

       Among the conditions are a proper enclosure or roaming space that is spacious enough, with clean fresh water for the otters to wade in.