NYPD Officers Rescue Injured Bald Eagle on Hudson River

The officers used a catch noose and a cloth to safely bring the bird onto their boat.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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NYPD officers from the Harbor Unit rescued an injured bald eagle that was spotted floating on ice in the Hudson River during a training exercise. The officers carefully retrieved the bird using a catch noose and cloth, and transferred it to the state's Department of Environmental Conservation before it was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center in New Jersey.

Why it matters

Bald eagles are a protected species in the United States, and their sighting in the New York City area is relatively rare. The officers' quick action and expertise in handling the large raptor likely saved the eagle's life and highlights the NYPD's commitment to protecting wildlife in the city's waterways.

The details

While surveying the Hudson River ice during a training exercise, NYPD Officer Michael Russo spotted the white head of a bald eagle. Russo, along with Sgt. Michael Amello and Det. Nicholas Martin, carefully approached the injured bird and used a catch noose to subdue its wings and talons. Amello then placed a cloth over the eagle's head to keep it calm before they brought it onto their boat. The officers consulted with the state's Department of Environmental Conservation before the rescue, and transferred the bird to their care once it was safely aboard.

  • On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, NYPD officers spotted the injured bald eagle while on a training exercise on the Hudson River.
  • The officers rescued the eagle and transferred it to the Department of Environmental Conservation on the same day, February 17, 2026.

The players

Officer Michael Russo

A 16-year veteran of the NYPD's Harbor Unit who spotted the injured bald eagle.

Sgt. Michael Amello

An NYPD officer who helped subdue the eagle and bring it onto the boat.

Det. Nicholas Martin

An NYPD Harbor Unit officer who assisted in the eagle rescue.

The Raptor Trust

A wild bird rehabilitation center in Millington, New Jersey, where the injured bald eagle was taken for treatment.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The state agency that the NYPD officers consulted with before retrieving the injured eagle.

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What they’re saying

“As we got closer, we put a plan together. We used a catch noose to kind of subdue its wings from flapping and its claws.”

— Officer Michael Russo, NYPD Harbor Unit (mycentraloregon.com)

“Once we did that, it really didn't give us a hard time. I think it kind of knew that we were trying to help it.”

— Officer Michael Russo, NYPD Harbor Unit (mycentraloregon.com)

“They don't really train you for, you know, handling a bald eagle, but we made it work. It was impressive and kind of scary at the same time, being that close to a bald eagle. The talons were pretty long. But it came on, didn't put up much of a fight. It was compliant.”

— Sgt. Michael Amello, NYPD Officer (mycentraloregon.com)

“It's an impressive creature. Even in its state, we were kind of taken back by how big it is and just the way it is, and the beauty of it. It was impressive, to say the least.”

— Det. Nicholas Martin, NYPD Harbor Unit (mycentraloregon.com)

What’s next

The Raptor Trust, the wildlife rehabilitation center in New Jersey, said the bald eagle is currently in very serious condition and they are doing their best to keep the bird stable. If the eagle's condition improves, the center will conduct further diagnostics and x-rays to determine the next course of action.

The takeaway

The NYPD officers' quick thinking and expertise in handling the injured bald eagle highlight the department's commitment to protecting wildlife in New York City's waterways. The rescue of this rare and protected species is a testament to the officers' skills and the importance of having specialized units like the Harbor Unit to respond to these types of situations.