19-year-old fisherman bitten by beaver at state park

(WJZ) - A large part of a Maryland state park is closed after a 19-year-old was attacked by a beaver.

Paige Thrascher drives from Baltimore County to Cunningham Falls State Park for a family vacation every year.

“This year’s been a little different,” Thrascher said.

That’s because Hunting Creek Lake, a big part of the park experience, is closed after a 19-year-old fisherman was attacked and bitten by a beaver at the lake Wednesday.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reported the man was bitten on the ankle and drove himself to a medical center for treatment.

“It’s absolutely crazy,” Thrascher said.

This is the second time a beaver has attacked someone at the park in the past two weeks. A 13-year-old swimmer was attacked by a beaver on July 26.

According to DNR, the beaver involved in the first attack tested positive for rabies.

The beaver connected to the most recent incident this week was caught and tested for rabies as well. DNR later reported the beaver also tested positive for rabies.

“I’ve honestly seen a beaver last night in the middle of the road and we went straight back to the tent and stayed in there,” Thrascher said.

DNR said it has taken multiple steps on top of the closures, including dismantling a nearby beaver lodge and establishing daytime surveillance to remove any additional beavers.

A WJZ reporter saw what appeared to be DNR boats traveling through the waters Wednesday.

“We can’t fish, we can’t go near the water because we’re too scared that the beavers are gonna come out,” Thrascher said. “But this is my only week off so I still decided to come and make the best of it.”