Maryland wildlife officials are investigating a beaver attack on a 10-year-old girl at Seneca Creek State Park, marking the third such incident in the state within a few weeks. The girl was swimming with a group when the beaver bit her around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. Camp counselors managed to intervene and remove the beaver before it escaped into the water. The child sustained three lacerations to her upper leg and required medical treatment at Suburban Hospital. The attack prompted the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to close a mile of trails and river access points for safety while they search for the animal. Previous beaver attacks occurred at nearby Cunningham Falls State Park, where two individuals were also injured, leading to the euthanization of the offending beavers, which tested positive for rabies.
Why It Matters
Beaver attacks on humans are rare, but they have occurred more frequently in Maryland recently, raising public safety concerns. The DNR indicates that these incidents often involve animals infected with rabies, which can lead to aggressive behavior. Prior to this year’s events, the last recorded incidents involving rabid beavers in Maryland were in 2021 and 2015. The DNR advises maintaining a safe distance from beavers to avoid conflict, highlighting the importance of wildlife awareness in recreational areas.
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