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Inside the hunt for the biting beaver that wasn’t there
The Baltimore Banner • • health
Key Points:
- Two rare rabid beaver attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park within 10 days led to human hospitalizations and the temporary closure of Hunting Creek Lake, a popular recreational area.
- Wildlife officials conducted extensive searches using thermal imaging and other methods to ensure no additional rabid beavers remained before considering reopening the lake.
- The two infected beavers were likely a mated pair, an unusual occurrence as beavers rarely contract rabies or attack humans; experts suggest one beaver may have transmitted the disease to the other.
- Rabies is common in small carnivores like raccoons in the region, but cases in rodents such as beavers are extremely rare, making these attacks unprecedented and prompting thorough investigation.
- Both human victims are expected to recover fully after receiving rabies treatment, and officials continue to monitor wildlife to prevent further incidents before lifting the lake closure.
