Beaver Attacks in Maryland Spark Concern for Public Safety

Maryland wildlife officials are actively searching for a beaver that attacked a 10-year-old girl at a state park. This incident marks the third beaver attack in the state in under three weeks. The girl was with an organized group at Seneca Creek State Park, located in Montgomery County, when the beaver attacked her during the afternoon. She suffered injuries and was taken to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda for medical care.

The attack happened near Berryville Road, close to the Potomac River. Swift action by camp counselors who separated the beaver from the girl allowed the animal to escape into the water. As a result, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) closed the area around the creek, including a mile of trail and access points, to facilitate the search for the beaver.

Another group in the park reported a beaver attempting to charge their canoe, though no injuries occurred. This follows previous attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park, approximately 36 miles away. In those incidents, a 13-year-old and a 19-year-old were bitten and required medical treatment. Authorities confirmed the beavers from these attacks tested positive for rabies.

DNR stated that the Seneca Creek and Cunningham Falls attacks are unrelated due to the geography and behavior of beavers. Health data indicate no rabies outbreak in either impacted county. Beavers typically avoid human interaction, and attacks often involve infected animals. The agency advises keeping a distance of at least 25 yards from beavers in the wild.

Brittany Miller, a journalist with Fox News Digital, reported on this developing safety concern. She emphasized the unusual nature of these attacks, which occur infrequently. The DNR continues to monitor the situation to ensure public safety.