A second beaver attack has been reported at Cunningham Falls State Park in northern Frederick County, prompting Maryland officials to close additional areas to the public and seek to determine if the animal had rabies.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said in a news release that a 19-year-old fisherman reported that a beaver bit him on the leg in the South Beach Day Use area around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The man was treated at a Hagerstown hospital. Natural Resources Police caught and euthanized the beaver, then sent it to Frederick Countyβs health department for rabies testing, officials said. They expect to have results by weekβs end.
The incident follows a July 26 beaver attack on a 13-year-old swimmer at Cunningham Falls State Park. Authorities determined that beaver had rabies after capturing and euthanizing it.
The Maryland Park Service has closed the Houck Day Use area, an adjacent boat ramp, and a section of Big Hunting Creek as officials investigate a possible rabies outbreak among the parkβs beavers. Hunting Creek Lake was closed to swimmers after the first attack, and a nearby beaver lodge was dismantled.
The agencyβs Wildlife and Heritage Service plans to conduct nighttime monitoring of Hunting Creek Lake in addition to ongoing daytime surveillance to remove any additional beavers that may be there.
Officials said beaver attacks are rare and usually involve rabid animals, but that people should generally keep a safe distance from them, at least 25 yards.
Anyone who may have come into contact with a beaver at the park should call the Frederick County Health Department at 301-600-3342.
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