Maryland Authorities Search for Aggressive Beaver After Third Attack

Maryland wildlife officials are currently searching for a beaver that attacked a 10-year-old girl at Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County. This incident marks the third beaver attack reported in the state within three weeks. The attack happened around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday as the girl was swimming with a group. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed the event.

Camp counselors quickly intervened and managed to detach the beaver from the girl before it retreated into the water. The girl was left with three lacerations on her upper leg and was taken to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda by her family for medical care. No other injuries were reported during this incident. The attack site was at a bend in Seneca Creek near Berryville Road, close to the Potomac River.

The DNR has since closed the affected area, including about a mile of trail and river access points, while wildlife teams carry out the search for the animal. However, other sections of Seneca Creek State Park, like the Lake Area off Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, remain accessible to visitors. Another group in the area reported that a beaver attempted to charge one of their canoes, but no injuries occurred.

This incident follows two separate beaver attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County. A 13-year-old swimmer was attacked by a beaver on July 26, and a 19-year-old fisherman experienced a similar attack on August 5. The fisherman sought treatment for rabies exposure and a tetanus shot at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown. Both beavers involved in these attacks were caught, euthanized, and tested positive for rabies. Due to these incidents, the Maryland Park Service temporarily closed Houck Day Use Area and some recreation spots at Cunningham Falls.

Despite the proximity of the two parks, the DNR has found no connection between the beaver incidents at Seneca Creek and Cunningham Falls due to the distance between them and the typical home range and social behavior of beavers. The health department has not discovered any indications of a rabies outbreak in either Montgomery or Frederick counties. Beavers generally avoid humans, and rabies-infected animals are suspected in these rare attacks. The DNR advises staying at least 25 yards away from beavers in the wild.