Maryland DNR closes more areas of Cunningham Falls State Park after second beaver attack

FREDERICK COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is closing more areas of Cunningham Falls State Park around Hunting Creek Lake after a 19-year-old fisherman reported he was bitten by a beaver Wednesday morning.

This marks the second beaver attack at this state park within the past two weeks, officials said.

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Around 9:30 a.m. on August 5, a 19-year-old man said he was bitten on his ankle by a beaver in the South Beach Day Use area of the park.

The injured fisherman took himself to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown for treatment, according to authorities.

Natural Resources Police will speak with him after he’s treated to obtain more information about the attack.

Following Wednesday’s attack, officers caught and euthanized the beaver. The beaver will be delivered to the Frederick County Health Department.

Then, the Maryland Department of Health’s lab will conduct rabies testing on the animal.

Results are expected later this week, officials said.

Back on July 26, a 13-year-old boy was flown to a Baltimore hospital after he was bitten by a beaver around 9:10 a.m. in the William Houck Area near the lake’s North Beach.

That beaver was also caught and later tested positive for rabies.

Following the July incident, swimming access in the Hunting Creek Lake at the park was closed while officials searched for more signs of rabid beavers.

DNR dismantled a nearby beaver lodge and established daily surveillance at the lake for other beavers.

Officials said no other beavers were found after the first attack until the attack that happened Wednesday.

In response to the second attack, the Maryland Park Service shut down the Houck Day Use Area, the adjacent boat ramp and Big Hunting Creek above the Lake while the DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service continues to investigate a possible rabies outbreak within the local beaver population, according to officials.

Swimming, fishing, boating and all water access are banned until the area can be confirmed safe for visitors. Other areas of the park, like the campground, stay open.

Moving forward, DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service will monitor the lake at night as well as set up daytime surveillance to remove additional beavers.

DNR said it will provide updates about park status and the team’s investigation once they’re available.

Before this year, the last recorded beaver bites in Maryland happened in 2015 and 2021.

Officials said beavers are usually not aggressive and avoid conflict with humans, but people should still keep a safe minimum viewing distance of 25 yards.

Anyone who may have come into contact with a beaver at the state park recently is asked to call the Frederick County Health Department at 301-600-3342.