Maryland Park Closes Areas After Second Rabid Beaver Attack
Maryland officials have closed portions of Cunningham Falls State Park following a second rabid beaver attack in two weeks. A 19-year-old fisherman was bitten on the leg by a beaver on August 5, 2026, prompting park closures and rabies testing that confirmed the animal was infected. This follows a similar July 26 incident involving a 13-year-old swimmer, raising public health concerns.
Key points
- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources closed additional areas around Hunting Creek Lake at Cunningham Falls State Park following a second beaver attack.
- On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at approximately 9:30 a.m., a 19-year-old male fisherman was bitten on the ankle by a beaver in the South Beach Day Use area.
- The injured fisherman drove himself to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown for treatment, receiving a tetanus shot and rabies exposure care.
- Natural Resources Police euthanized the animal, and the Maryland Department of Health confirmed it tested positive for the rabies virus.
- This follows an earlier incident on July 26, 2026, where a 13-year-old swimmer was bitten by a rabid beaver that tested positive on July 27.
Authorities in Maryland have expanded closures at Cunningham Falls State Park following a second aggressive beaver encounter within a two-week period. The latest incident occurred on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, when a 19-year-old fisherman was bitten on the ankle while visiting the South Beach Day Use area near Hunting Creek Lake. The victim transported himself to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, where medical personnel administered treatment for rabies exposure alongside a tetanus shot.
Following the attack, Natural Resources Police located and euthanized the animal. The specimen was transferred to the Frederick County Health Department before undergoing laboratory analysis by the Maryland Department of Health. Officials confirmed that the beaver tested positive for the rabies virus. This event mirrors a previous attack on July 26, 2026, involving a 13-year-old swimmer, whose attacker also tested positive for rabies on July 27.
In response to the ongoing wildlife threat, the Maryland Park Service has implemented targeted closures affecting the Houck Day Use Area, the nearby boat ramp, and sections of Big Hunting Creek. State health and wildlife officials continue to monitor the park and urge visitors to exercise caution around local waterways while investigations and preventative measures proceed.
Sources
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