A portion of Maryland’s Seneca Creek State Park has been temporarily closed after a beaver attacked and bit a 10-year-old girl who was swimming in the park last week. According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the incident occurred on Thursday, August 13th, at around 3:30pm. The girl was attending a summer camp and was using a popular swimming and wading area along Seneca Creek when the attack happened.
Seneca Creek Area Closed After Attack
The attack happened at a bend near Berryville Road close to the Potomac River. That area is now closed, along with around one mile of nearby trail, until further notice. The adjacent parking lot has also been restricted while signs have been posted to warn visitors about the incident. The rest of Seneca Creek State Park remains open.
Camp counselors reportedly intervened when the beaver attacked, removing the animal from the girl before it escaped into the water. The child suffered three laceration wounds to her upper leg and was transported to the Suburban Hospital in Bethesda for treatment.
Officials Searching for Beaver
Wildlife and Heritage Service personnel and Seneca Creek State Park staff are searching for the beaver, contacting Maryland Natural Resources Police and local wildlife authorities for assistance.
A separate group in the area reported that a beaver attempted to charge their canoe, but nobody was injured in the encounter. Officials initially stated that the attacked child was part of the canoeing group but witness interviews clarified that the incidents were separate.
Incident Is Not Linked to Previous Rabies Cases
This attack comes less than three weeks after two beaver attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park in Maryland. There a 13-year-old swimming was attacked on July 26th and a 19-year-old fisherman was attacked on August 5th. Both beavers were captured, euthanized, and tested positive for rabies.
Given that the two parks are more than 36 miles apart, Maryland officials have stated that there is no evidence of a connection between the two attacks. Based on current data from the respective health departments, neither Frederick County (home to Cunningham Falls State Park) or Montgomery Country (home to Seneca Creek State Park) have indications of a rabies outbreak.