Maryland DNR probes beaver bite at Seneca Creek State Park
A 10-year-old girl was bitten by a beaver at Seneca Creek State Park, prompting a Maryland Department of Natural Resources investigation and temporary trail closures.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is investigating a beaver bite that occurred Thursday afternoon at Seneca Creek State Park. The incident involved a 10-year-old girl participating in a summer camp program; camp counselors intervened and the animal fled into the water. The child was taken to a Bethesda hospital for treatment of three lacerations on her upper leg.
DNR, Montgomery County Animal Services and park staff are searching for the beaver. The agency noted that this case is not linked to two separate beaver bites at Cunningham Falls State Park last month, which involved a 19-year-old man and a 13-year-old boy and resulted in rabies testing of the animals.
"Both beavers involved in those attacks tested positive for rabies," DNR officials said.
The department previously investigated a possible rabies outbreak among local beavers but said there is no evidence of such an outbreak in Frederick or Montgomery counties. In response to the latest bite, a portion of Seneca Creek State Park near Berryville Road and about one mile of adjacent trail are closed until further notice, while other sections, including the lake area off Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, remain open.