Maryland rocked by third beaver attack in weeks after 2 animals test positive for rabies

Maryland wildlife officials are searching for a beaver that attacked a 10-year-old girl at a state park, marking the state's third reported beaver attack in less than three weeks.

The girl was swimming and wading with an organized group at Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County when a beaver attacked and bit her around 3:30pm Thursday, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Camp counselors intervened and removed the beaver from the girl before the animal escaped into the water, DNR said.

The girl suffered three lacerations to her upper leg and was taken by family members to Suburban Hospital in Bethesda for treatment.

DANGEROUS RABID BEAVERS ATTACK 2 TEENS, WITH 1 AIRLIFTED AND POPULAR PARK PARTIALLY CLOSED No other injuries were reported.

The attack occurred at a bend in Seneca Creek near Berryville Road, close to the Potomac River.

DNR closed the area, including roughly one mile of trail and river access points, until further notice while wildlife teams search for the beaver.

Other parts of Seneca Creek State Park , including the Lake Area off Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, remain open.

A separate group of people canoeing in the area also reported a beaver attempting to charge one of their boats, but no one was injured, according to DNR.

HIDDEN DANGER AT POPULAR US NATIONAL PARK FORCES TRAIL CLOSURES AS BEAR SIGHTINGS CLIMB The Seneca Creek attack follows two beaver attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, more than 36 miles away.

A beaver attacked a 13-year-old swimmer at Cunningham Falls on July 26.

Another beaver bit a 19-year-old fisherman on the ankle in the park's South Beach Day Use area on Aug.

5.

The fisherman took himself to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, where he received treatment for rabies exposure and a tetanus shot, DNR said.