A portion of Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County has been temporarily closed after a beaver attacked and bit a 10-year-old girl who was canoeing with an organized group Thursday afternoon.
According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), park staff received a report of the attack at approximately 3:30pm on Thursday. The incident occurred at a bend in Seneca Creek near Berryville Road, close to the Potomac River.
The child was attending a summer camp when the attack occurred. Camp counselors intervened and removed the beaver before it escaped back into the water. The girl sustained three laceration wounds to her upper leg and was taken by family members to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda for treatment. No other injuries were reported.
The area where the attack occurred, including approximately one mile of trail, has been closed until further notice. The adjacent parking lot has been marked with fluorescent orange cones and signs notifying visitors of the incident. Other portions of Seneca Creek State Park remain open, including the park’s main area off Clopper Road in Gaithersburg.
DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service staff and Seneca Creek State Park staff are searching for the beaver. Natural Resources Police and local wildlife authorities have also been contacted for assistance, and Montgomery County Animal Services was notified.
The incident comes after two recent beaver attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, more than 36 miles away. A 13-year-old swimmer was attacked there on July 26, followed by an attack on a 19-year-old fisherman on August 5. According to DNR, both beavers involved in those incidents were captured, euthanized and later tested positive for rabies.
DNR said the Seneca Creek incident is not believed to be related to the Cunningham Falls attacks due to the distance between the parks as well as the home range and social behavior of beavers. Officials also said there is currently no indication of a rabies outbreak in either Montgomery or Frederick County.
DNR said updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
