Cunningham Falls State Park in Maryland is now partially closed following two separate attacks by rabid beavers on teenagers in July and August. The incidents have prompted park officials to restrict access to certain areas while wildlife experts assess the safety of the park.
The first attack occurred on July 26 when a 13-year-old swimmer at Hunting Creek Lake was bitten by a beaver. The boy sustained injuries to his hands and chest and was airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital. The beaver involved in this incident was euthanized and subsequently tested positive for rabies.
Following this attack, swimming access to Hunting Creek Lake was temporarily closed. The park is a popular summer destination, having welcomed over 455,000 visitors in 2025.
A second incident took place on August 5, when a 19-year-old fisherman was bitten on the ankle by a beaver. The fisherman sought medical attention at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, where he received treatment and a tetanus shot. This beaver was also euthanized and confirmed to have rabies.
In response to the attacks, day-use areas around Hunting Creek Lake remain closed. Joe Zimmermann, public information officer for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, stated that these areas will remain closed until wildlife experts and park management deem them safe for public reopening. Other sections of Cunningham Falls State Park, including camping and hiking trails, remain open.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff are actively working to ensure the area's safety. This includes setting up traps since the first incident and conducting nighttime surveys of the lake area using thermal imaging. Park staff are also performing checks for additional beavers and remain vigilant throughout the park.
Rabies is typically transmitted through contact, most commonly a bite or scratch, from an infected animal. While canine rabies has been largely eliminated in the U.S., other wildlife like bats, foxes, raccoons, and skunks can transmit the virus. The virus resides in the saliva of infected animals. Beavers, which normally avoid humans, may exhibit unusual aggressive behavior, disorientation, or uncharacteristic daytime activity when infected with rabies. Potential signs include approaching humans, abnormal coordination, or unusual vocalizations.
Health experts advise caution around wild animals and recommend avoiding close exposure. If an individual is bitten or scratched by a wild animal, they should move to a safe location, thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water for 10-15 minutes, and seek immediate medical attention. Treatment usually involves a series of rabies vaccines. Officials emphasize that individuals should not attempt to capture a potentially rabid animal themselves but should report sightings to animal control or health authorities. Rabies can be fatal if left untreated.