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. The rare incident highlights the importance of avoiding contact with wild animals behaving unusually, as rabies can alter behaviour and poses a serious risk to both people and other wildlife if left unmanaged.
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