The Huletts Current

Two teenage hikers who ran from a bear while descending an Adirondack mountain ended up spending the night in a hunter’s camp before Forest Rangers escorted them to safety the next morning.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced an update to the ongoing water safety advisory in effect for Turtle Island on Lake George in the Lake George Wild Forest.

On July 9, 2026, DEC recovered a deceased beaver in the water near Turtle Island. The animal tested positive for rabies.

DEC cannot confirm that this is the same beaver that bit two individuals in that area on July 4 and continues to warn swimmers to avoid areas around Turtle Island through at least July 14, 2026. It is possible that the recovered animal may have infected others in the beaver colony at Turtle Island.

Boaters and campers should exercise utmost caution and are advised to avoid contact with beaver (including carcasses) while recreating. Individuals should never approach or feed any wildlife.

DEC continues to closely monitor the colony and requests visitors report any sightings of beaver in the area that may be demonstrating unusual behavior to NYSDEC Dispatch at (518) 897-1326. In an emergency, call 911.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced a water safety advisory is now in effect for Turtle Island on Lake George in the Lake George Wild Forest. DEC warns swimmers to avoid areas around campsites 1-5 at Turtle Island through at least July 14, 2026,?due to the presence of one or more beaver that may be infected with rabies.

Boaters and campers should exercise utmost caution and are advised to avoid contact with beaver while recreating. DEC continues to closely monitor the colony and requests visitors to report any sightings of beaver in the area demonstrating unusual behavior.

Individuals should never approach or feed any wildlife and should report unusual animal behavior at 518-623-1200. In an emergency, call 911 or NYSDEC Dispatch at (518) 897-1326.