Maryland DNR photo
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has reopened the areas of Seneca Creek State Park that had been closed following a beaver attack. DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service and Maryland Park Service concluded monitoring and have found no additional rabid beavers in the area.
On August 13, a beaver attacked and bit a 10-year-old camper swimming in Seneca Creek near Berryville Road, close to the Potomac River. Separately, a group that was canoeing reported a beaver attempting to charge one of their boats, which happened prior to the bite incident but wasn’t reported to park staff until afterward. The Park Service closed the area as wildlife teams searched for sick and aggressive animals. DNR staff found a deceased beaver on Aug. 17, which the Maryland Department of Health confirmed to be rabid, however DNR and health officials were unable to determine if this beaver is the one that attacked.
Concluding their search for other sick animals, DNR wildlife experts are now reasonably assured that Seneca Creek State Park is past the heightened risk following the attack. However, DNR advises the public to stay aware that rabies and other dangers related to wildlife interactions are always present.
Visitors to Maryland public lands or other natural spaces should always:
- Observe animals from a safe distance and never approach, touch, feed, or attempt to interact with wildlife.
- Give wildlife plenty of space and allow animals a clear path to move away.
- Keep pets on a leash at all times.
- Refrain from feeding wildlife, which can cause animals to lose their natural fear of people and may lead to dangerous encounters.
- Immediately report to park staff any concerns such as an animal behaving unusually, aggressively, or otherwise appearing sick or injured.
