Rabid beaver at Seneca Creek State Park has been confirmed after Maryland wildlife staff found a dead animal on August 17. Tests returned positive for rabies on August 19. Officials still cannot determine whether it attacked a 10-year-old girl days earlier, as Baltimore Chronicle reports. The information comes from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and was also confirmed by local health and news reports.
Rabid Beaver Found After Attack on 10-Year-Old Girl
The dead beaver was discovered during searches at Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County. It was sent to the Maryland Department of Health for testing.
The result confirmed rabies. However, wildlife officials have no evidence linking this animal directly to the August 13 attack.
The girl was attending summer camp with an organized group. She was in the creek when a beaver attacked and bit her.
Camp counselors intervened. The animal then escaped into the water.
The incident occurred near Berryville Road, close to the Potomac River.
Which Parts of Seneca Creek State Park Are Closed?
Maryland officials continue searching the affected section for sick beavers and other wildlife. The restricted zone covers the creek area near Berryville Road and about 1 mile of nearby trails.
Current access can be summarized as follows:
| Park area | Status |
|---|---|
| Seneca Creek near Berryville Road | Closed |
| Nearby trail section | Closed |
| Restricted parking area | Closed |
| Lake Area off Clopper Road | Open |
| Other unaffected park areas | Open |
The closure remains in effect while wildlife teams inspect the area. The popular Lake Area in Gaithersburg remains accessible.
Visitors should follow posted restrictions rather than entering closed trails or waterways.
Maryland Records 3 Beaver Attacks in Recent Weeks
The Seneca Creek incident follows 2 attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County.
Recent cases include:
- July 26: a 13-year-old swimmer was attacked at Cunningham Falls State Park.
- August 5: a 19-year-old fisherman was bitten near Hunting Creek Lake.
- August 13: a 10-year-old girl was attacked at Seneca Creek State Park.
The 2 Cunningham Falls beavers later tested positive for rabies.
That sequence has drawn attention because beaver attacks in Maryland are normally rare. State specialists have said beavers are not among Maryland’s most common rabies carriers.
Is There a Rabies Outbreak in Maryland?
Available county data do not currently indicate a broader rabies outbreak in Frederick or Montgomery counties.
Maryland wildlife specialist Joshua Tabora said officials have found no evidence of an elevated rabies prevalence rate in either county.
The clustering of attacks is nevertheless unusual. Wildlife teams are comparing the incidents while continuing surveillance.
For visitors, the main precaution is simple: avoid wildlife showing unusual aggression and respect all temporary park closures.
Earlier we wrote about Best Private Clinics in Baltimore 2026: Hospitals, Specialists, Costs and How to Choose