(Video: KSBW, Broadcastify, CNN, Mark Woodward/Native Santa Cruz) —

A surfer at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, California, says an otter bit her foot and then climbed onto her board Tuesday evening, holding it hostage for roughly 20 minutes as rescuers rushed in.

Isabella Orduna was paddling out when she felt “a nip” on her foot. She rolled off and turned to see an otter perched on her board.

In the player above: See images of the otter on the board and hear from the surfer and others

Unsure what to do, Orduna called to another surfer for help. A full water rescue followed, with emergency crews arriving within minutes.

Ben Coffey, a marine safety officer with Santa Cruz Fire, helped escort Orduna out of the water. “You don’t go out thinking an otter is going to get on your board,” he sai

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