A 13-year-old boy was airlifted after a rabid beaver attacked him at a Maryland state park, forcing officials to close the swimming beach

Published 29 July 2026 · health

What happened at Cunningham Falls State Park? Why did officials close the swimming beach? The beaver later tested positive for rabies Why are attacks by

What happened at Cunningham Falls State Park? Why did officials close the swimming beach? The beaver later tested positive for rabies Why are attacks by beavers so rare? What is rabies and why is it so dangerous? About Cunningham Falls State Park A summer outing at one of Maryland's most popular state parks turned into a frightening medical emergency after a 13-year-old boy was attacked by a beaver while swimming. The incident occurred on Sunday morning at the William Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, where the boy suffered bite injuries to his hands and chest. He was airlifted to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for treatment as authorities immediately closed the swimming beach and launched a search for the animal. Officials later confirmed that a captured beaver tested positive for rabies, raising concerns about public safety and prompting an ongoing investigation into the unusual wildlife attack.According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and local reports, the attack took place at around 9:10 a.m. on Sunday in the designated swimming area near North Beach at the William Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park.

The teenager was swimming when a beaver suddenly attacked him, biting his hands and chest.Emergency responders arrived quickly, and due to the nature of the injuries and the potential risk of rabies exposure, the boy was flown by Maryland State Police helicopter to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for specialised medical care.Authorities have not released updates on his condition.Soon after the attack, officials closed the swimming beach to protect visitors while wildlife officers searched for the beaver responsible.Personnel from the Maryland Park Service, Maryland Natural Resources Police and wildlife officials searched the lake to locate the animal. The rest of Cunningham Falls State Park remained open, but access to the swimming area was restricted until officials could determine whether the threat had been removed.Authorities later captured one beaver and continued monitoring the area to ensure there were no additional risks to the public.Laboratory testing later confirmed that the captured beaver was infected with rabies, a viral disease that attacks the nervous system of mammals and is almost always fatal once symptoms develop.Officials are continuing to determine whether the captured animal was the same beaver involved in the attack.

Because rabies can spread through bites and saliva, anyone exposed to a potentially rabid animal requires immediate medical evaluation. The teenager is expected to receive appropriate post-exposure treatment as part of his care.Although beavers are among North America's largest rodents, they are generally shy animals that avoid people. They spend most of their time building dams, lodges and gathering vegetation.Wildlife experts say beavers rarely attack humans unless they feel cornered, are protecting their young or are suffering from illnesses such as rabies. An unprovoked attack on a swimmer is therefore considered highly unusual and immediately raised concerns among wildlife officials.Rabid animals often display abnormal behaviour, including aggression, disorientation and a reduced fear of humans, making encounters significantly more dangerous than normal.Rabies is caused by a virus that affects the brain and spinal cord of mammals. It spreads primarily through bites from infected animals, although saliva entering an open wound or mucous membrane can also transmit the disease.Once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. However, prompt treatment after exposure is highly effective. Medical care typically includes immediate wound cleaning, rabies immune globulin for unvaccinated individuals and a series of rabies vaccinations to prevent the virus from causing illness.Located in Maryland's scenic Catoctin Mountains, Cunningham Falls State Park is one of the state's most visited outdoor destinations.