Two people have been bitten by beavers at a popular Maryland state park in less than two weeks, prompting officials to partially close the area while they investigate a possible rabies outbreak among the local beaver population. The latest incident occurred on August 5 at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, when a 19-year-old man was bitten on the ankle while fishing. The attack followed a July 26 incident in which a 13-year-old swimmer was bitten by another beaver at the same park. Both animals were captured and euthanised, with testing confirming that they had rabies. Authorities have now banned swimming, fishing, boating and other water access in affected areas.
Two beaver attacks reported within days
The first reported attack happened on July 26, when a 13-year-old swimmer was bitten by a beaver at Cunningham Falls State Park. Natural Resources Police officers captured the animal after the incident, and it was later euthanised and tested for rabies. The test came back positive.Less than two weeks later, another visitor was attacked. On August 5, a 19-year-old man was fishing when an aggressive beaver bit him on the ankle. He was able to drive himself to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown for treatment.Natural Resources Police officers responded to the second incident, captured the beaver and euthanised it. The Frederick County Health Department subsequently confirmed that this animal also tested positive for rabies.
Park closes swimming and water areas
Following the second attack, Maryland officials closed several areas of Cunningham Falls State Park to visitors.The closure includes the William Houck Day Use Area, boat ramp, Dam Lot and Big Hunting Creek above the lake, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The state’s park service says the remainder of the park remains open, but visitors are currently prohibited from swimming, fishing, boating and accessing the water in the affected areas.Officials said the restrictions will remain in place until the area can be confirmed safe for visitors.The closure is significant because Cunningham Falls is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, with its lake, waterfall, trails and camping facilities attracting large numbers of visitors during the warmer months.
Officials investigate possible rabies outbreak
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said it is investigating what it described as a possible rabies outbreak within the local beaver population.Wildlife and Heritage Services has introduced both daytime and nighttime surveillance around the park’s lake in an effort to locate and remove additional beavers. Officials also dismantled a beaver lodge found in the park as part of the response.The discovery of two rabies-positive animals involved in separate attacks within such a short period has raised concerns about whether other beavers in the area could also be infected.Authorities have not said that every beaver in the park is infected. The investigation is intended to determine the extent of the problem and whether additional animals need to be removed.
Why rabid beavers can become aggressive
Beavers are generally not considered aggressive towards people. The Maryland Natural Resources Police said attacks on humans are rare and are thought to primarily involve rabid animals.A healthy beaver will normally try to avoid people. Rabies can alter an infected animal’s behaviour, however, potentially causing unusual aggression, confusion and other abnormal behaviour.That makes an apparently fearless or unusually aggressive beaver a warning sign that visitors should take seriously.The state’s wildlife officials have urged people not to approach beavers, even though the animals may normally appear calm around waterways.
Visitors told to keep their distance
Maryland officials have advised people to maintain a minimum viewing distance of 25 yards from beavers.The warning applies even when an animal does not appear aggressive. Approaching, feeding or attempting to photograph a wild beaver from close range can increase the risk of an encounter.The park’s current closure is designed to prevent visitors from coming into contact with potentially infected animals while wildlife officers conduct surveillance and removal operations.Visitors should also avoid touching any wild animal that appears sick, injured or unusually tame.
Cunningham Falls is a popular Maryland destination
Cunningham Falls State Park is located in Frederick County, in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains. The park is divided into the William Houck Area and the Manor Area and offers activities including hiking, camping, fishing and swimming.The William Houck Area contains Hunting Creek Lake and the park’s namesake waterfall. During the summer season, the lake is normally used for swimming, while fishing and boating are also popular activities.The current restrictions therefore affect several of the park’s main recreational attractions, although other portions of the park remain accessible.
Rabies requires immediate medical attention
Rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms develop. However, prompt medical treatment after a potential exposure can prevent the disease from developing.Anyone bitten or scratched by a potentially rabid animal should immediately seek medical advice rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.In the Maryland incidents, the people who were bitten received medical attention. The authorities have not indicated that either victim developed rabies.
Another rabid beaver attack occurred in New Jersey
The Maryland incidents come after another unusual beaver attack earlier this year in Mahwah, New Jersey.On May 3, an 8-year-old boy was fishing with his family at Henry Lake when a beaver emerged from the water and charged at him. According to the Mahwah Health Department, the animal bit the boy in the upper thigh after he fell.Family members and a bystander intervened and pulled the animal away. The beaver was subsequently captured, euthanised and tested positive for rabies.The boy and several other people who were bitten while helping him underwent rabies treatment, according to the Mahwah Health Department.
Officials continue monitoring the park
For now, Maryland authorities are focused on determining whether the two rabid beavers were isolated cases or part of a wider problem among animals living around Cunningham Falls.The wildlife surveillance operation is continuing around the lake, while the beaver lodge discovered in the park has been dismantled. The affected water areas will remain closed until officials determine that visitors can safely return.The incidents are also a reminder that even animals normally regarded as peaceful wildlife can become dangerous when infected with rabies. Visitors to parks and other natural areas are advised to observe wild animals from a safe distance and report unusually aggressive behaviour to authorities rather than approaching the animal themselves.