Maryland officials investigate three beaver attacks linked to rabies

Maryland officials are investigating a series of three beaver attacks occurring within a single month at two different state parks. The most recent incident took place on August 13 at Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County, where a 10-year-old girl sustained lacerations to her leg after being bitten while canoeing. A section of the park near Berryville Road and the Potomac River has been closed to the public while authorities search for the animal.

Two previous attacks occurred this summer at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County. The beavers involved in those incidents were captured, euthanized, and subsequently tested positive for raccoon-type rabies. While the beaver from the Seneca Creek incident has not yet been located, officials presume it may also be rabid.

Joshua Tabora of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources noted that beavers are typically shy and do not seek conflict unless something is wrong. Experts suggest that aggressive behavior in beavers is often linked to rabies, which causes them to lose their natural fear of humans. Despite the recent incidents, officials stated there is no indication of an elevated rabies prevalence rate in Frederick or Montgomery counties.