Rabid Beaver Found at Popular Dutchess County Body of Water

Dutchess County officials have confirmed that a beaver found within the county has tested positive for rabies.

The Hudson Valley is home to various forms of wildlife and with the amount of animals we have running wild it's unavoidable that every so often one of them will test positive for rabies, an extremely dangerous, sometimes fatal but preventable viral disease.

Rabid Beaver in Red Hook, New York

The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) has confirmed that a beaver that was captured after being observed at the Tivoli Bays Wildlife Management Area in the Town of Red Hook, NY on August 6th, 2024 tested positive for rabies. DBCH announced the positive test on its Facebook page along with a warning for residents and visitors enjoying time at Tivoli Bay to be aware of their surroundings, to be cautious, and to always be on the lookout for any wildlife acting aggressively.

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Tivoli Bays is a body of water that runs for approximately two miles along the east shore of the Hudson River between the villages of Tivoli, NY, and Barrytown, in the Dutchess County town of Red Hook and offers visitors various options for outdoor adventure including hiking, fishing, paddle boarding, trapping and more according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

What to Do If You've Had Contact

DBCH is asking anyone who has had direct contact recently with a beaver in the area or any unusual interaction and direct contact with wildlife in this area, including any contact that any domestic animals might have had to please call DBCH as soon as possible. Call (845) 486-3404, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or (845) 431-6465 on nights and weekends. DBCH reminds residents not to approach non-domesticated animals and if they see an animal acting strangely, or if they, their pet, or someone they know gets bitten by, or has an open wound exposed to the saliva or nervous tissue of a domestic or wild animal, call DBCH immediately.

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease that can affect the central nervous system of humans and other mammals and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, so immediate treatment after potential exposure to rabies is crucial. The virus is typically transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal via bites or scratches.