- If a beaver approaches you, it’s time to run.
You should never ignore the risks animals can pose to you when you’re out and about in the great outdoors. Indeed, most people will be on the lookout for bears, cougars, wolves, runaway dogs, moose, and the like.
However, you shouldn’t ignore smaller and more timid critters. A beast as unintimidating as a beaver can be dangerous in certain situations.
For example, if the beaver happens to be rabid.
Two state parks in Maryland are struggling with a sudden appearance of aggressive, rabid beavers. And when I say struggling, I mean they’ve had to partially shut down because the beavers have become a threat to visitors.
The rabid flat-tailed beasts have attacked three young people across multiple state parks. Although none of the injuries have been life-threatening in themselves, one of the victims required an airlift to the hospital.
Of course, all three beaver victims now have to undergo treatment to prevent a rabies infection. Meanwhile, the berserk beavers remain at large.
Series of Attacks
The first rabid beaver attack took place on July 26 at Cunningham Falls State Park in northern Maryland. A 13-year-old boy was swimming in Hunting Creek Lake when a beaver suddenly appeared and charged him out of nowhere.
In the following tussle, the beaver left gashes on the boy’s hands and chest. Following the attack, he required an airlift to a hospital.
On August 5, the beavers struck again at Cunningham Falls. This time, a beaver injured a 19-year-old man who was fishing in the South Beach Day Use area.
After the beaver charged him, it sank its teeth into the young fisherman’s ankle. He managed to kick the animal away, at which point it escaped.
According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), he drove himself to a hospital where he received care against rabies and tetanus.
The third attack happened in Seneca Creek State Park, 35 miles south of Cunningham Falls, on August 14. This time, the victim was a 10-year-old girl.
According to reports, she was attending a summer camp and swimming at an established swimming hole when an irate beaver attacked her. The camp counselors jumped into the water and drove the beaver away before taking the girl to a hospital. She reportedly suffered three lacerations to her leg.
Confirmed Rabies
In the first two cases, the beavers were confirmed to have rabies. Wildlife officials caught both animals afterward, and a medical test confirmed they were rabid. The beavers were euthanized after testing.
The third beaver also escaped after attacking the little girl. Despite a search, MDNR officials couldn’t locate the animal.
They did, however, find a deceased beaver in the area that proved rabies-positive. Whether it’s the same one that injured the girl is unknown, but it did confirm that rabid beavers live around Seneca Creek.
Consequently, access to parts of all three state parks has been restricted. Following the first attack, officials prohibited swimming at Cunningham Falls. Additionally, MDNR demolished a nearby beaver lodge.
After the second attack, MDNR closed more areas at the same park. The agency also launched active nighttime monitoring of the area’s beavers.
At Seneca Creek, MDNR closed down the area around the spot where the beaver attack occurred, alongside a nearby parking lot. Other areas at both parks remain open to the public.
Stay Away from Beavers
With the attacks occurring so far from each other, the public has understandably been concerned about a possible statewide rabies epidemic. However, at this time, the MDNR doesn’t believe there’s wider cause for concern.
“With the distance of the two parks from one another, as well as the home range and social behavior of beavers, the incident in Seneca Creek is not considered related to the incidents at Cunningham Falls. According to data from the respective health departments, there is no indication of a rabies outbreak,” MDNR wrote in a statement.
The officials nonetheless encourage people visiting state parks to remain cautious for now and keep an eye out for beavers exhibiting suspicious behavior. They’re by nature timid animals that will avoid humans, so MDNR encourages people to back off and steer clear of any beavers actively approaching people.
Beavers aren’t the only surprisingly dangerous animals out there. Read this story about an otter that dragged a child underwater in Washington.