Teen attacked by rabid beaver at Maryland state park undergoes multiple surgeries

A 13-year-old boy was attacked by a beaver while swimming at Cunningham Falls State Park, where the animal latched onto his chest and later bit his right hand during his escape. He wrestled the beaver's head and leg before it shook its head and bit again. Emergency responders airlifted him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where doctors performed three surgeries to address nerve injuries and gave a series of rabies injections.

The beaver was subsequently captured, euthanized and tested positive for rabies. Authorities have reported additional similar incidents in the area, prompting the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to investigate a possible rabies outbreak, dismantle a nearby beaver lodge and increase surveillance at the lake.