Maryland wildlife officials are actively searching for a beaver involved in the recent attack on a 10-year-old girl at Seneca Creek State Park. This incident represents the third beaver attack within the state over a short span of less than three weeks.

The attack occurred while the girl was swimming in Seneca Creek, situated in Montgomery County. It took place at around 3:30 pm when the beaver bit her. Camp counselors were quick to assist, helping to remove the beaver before it could flee. Sadly, the girl sustained three cuts to her upper leg. After the attack, her family took her to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda for the required medical treatment.

A beaver sits beside a tree. Beaver attacks on humans are rare, as noted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. (iStock)

Following the incident, officials have closed the immediate area around the attack site, including approximately one mile of trails, to ensure public safety during the wildlife team’s search. Despite these precautions, other sections of Seneca Creek State Park continue to remain open to visitors.

During the search for the aggressive beaver, another group in the park reported witnessing a beaver attempting to charge at their canoe. Fortunately, no injuries resulted from this encounter.

This incident follows two earlier attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park, located over 36 miles away. There, a beaver bit a 13-year-old swimmer on July 26 and later attacked a 19-year-old fisherman on August 5, leading to swift measures by the Department of Natural Resources, who captured and euthanized the involved beavers. Tests confirmed these beavers had rabies.

Maryland Park Service responded to these events by temporarily closing specific areas such as the Houck Day Use Area and Big Hunting Creek to prevent further incidents. Officials have determined there is no direct link between the Seneca Creek and Cunningham Falls attacks, largely due to the geographic separation and typical behavior of the species.

There is no evidence of an ongoing rabies outbreak in Montgomery or Frederick County, according to health department data shared by DNR.

Beaver attacks remain uncommon, with rabies infection identified as a primary factor in most cases. Maryland had previously documented rabid beaver attacks in 2021 and 2015, emphasizing the importance of remaining cautious around such wildlife.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources advises maintaining a safe distance of at least 25 yards from beavers in their natural habitat to avoid potential conflicts.

Brittany Miller, an accomplished breaking news writer, is a former Independent reporter with a degree from Syracuse University.