Over the past two weeks, headlines in the DMV about rabid animals have focused on beavers. Earlier this month, in Frederick County, two Marylanders were bitten by beavers at Cunningham Falls. The most recent encounter occurred here in Montgomery County at Seneca Creek State Park.
Despite this year’s high profile beaver attacks, these outcomes should be considered unusual. According to Joshua Tabora, a Furbearer Biologist, the last documented cases of rabid beavers in the state were in 2021. The two cases added up to less than two percent of the rabies incidents reported that year to the Maryland Department of Health.
Tabora, who works for the Department of Natural Resources, says the more likely “vector species of rabies” include raccoons, striped skunks, foxes and bats. He also discounts what he called “an old wives’ tale” promoting the idea that seeing any of these animals in daylight is a sign they are rabid.
If you come upon any of them exhibiting strange behavior like going in circles or foaming at the mouth, make sure you maintain your distance. Tabora recommends putting 25 yards between yourself and any suspected infected mammal.
Report any affected animals to the Maryland Wildlife Hot Line at 410-260-8540.
For the most recent information about rabies in the county click here.
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