Maryland DNR closes park areas after fisherman bitten by beaver
A 19-year-old fisherman was bitten by a beaver at Cunningham Falls State Park, prompting the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to close several lake areas and begin rabies testing.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said a 19-year-old fisherman was bitten on the leg by a beaver in the South Beach Day area of Cunningham Falls State Park around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The victim drove himself to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown for treatment of an ankle wound.
The beaver involved in the incident was captured and euthanized for rabies testing. The department has closed the Houck Day Use Area, the nearby boat ramp and the stretch of Big Hunting Creek above the lake while it investigates a possible rabies outbreak among local beavers. Nighttime monitoring will be increased to remove additional beavers if necessary.
This follows a July 26 incident in which a 13-year-old boy was bitten by a beaver at the same park; that animal later tested positive for rabies. The department noted that beaver attacks are rare, with the last recorded bites in Maryland occurring in 2021 and 2015. All other sections of Cunningham Falls State Park remain open to the public.