Bald Eagle Rescued from Ice Chunk in Hudson River

NYPD Harbor Unit officers save injured bird in dramatic rescue operation

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Over 16 years with the New York City Police Department's Harbor Unit, Officer Michael Russo has rescued many people and animals in distress. But on Tuesday, he and his colleagues faced a unique challenge - rescuing an injured bald eagle that was marooned on a chunk of ice in the frigid Hudson River near the George Washington Bridge.

Why it matters

Bald eagles were once nearly wiped out in the United States due to hunting and pesticide use, but their population has rebounded in recent decades thanks to conservation efforts. Sightings of the majestic birds along the Hudson River have become more common, underscoring the environmental recovery of this iconic American species.

The details

The officers devised a plan to safely retrieve the eagle, with one officer holding the boat steady, another using a pole to keep the ice chunk in place, and Officer Russo gently securing the bird with a catch pole and wrapping it in a yellow plastic sheet. Despite its injuries, the eagle remained calm and cooperative during the rescue. The bird was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center in New Jersey, where it is receiving treatment for its unspecified condition.

  • On Tuesday morning, the NYPD Harbor Unit officers spotted the injured bald eagle on the ice chunk in the Hudson River.
  • The eagle rescue operation took place on February 18, 2026.

The players

Officer Michael Russo

A 16-year veteran of the NYPD Harbor Unit who led the bald eagle rescue operation.

Raptor Trust

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

Christopher D. Soucy

The executive director of the Raptor Trust, who stated the eagle was in "very serious condition" upon arrival.

Kevin J. McGowan

An ornithologist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology who provided expert analysis on the eagle's behavior and condition.

Dustin Partridge

The director of conservation and science at the NYC Bird Alliance, who discussed the recovery of bald eagle populations in New York.

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What they’re saying

“Something was definitely wrong. It was definitely doing a cry for help.”

— Officer Michael Russo (dnyuz.com)

“All right, buddy, we got ya.”

— NYPD Officer (dnyuz.com)

“No wild animal would allow you to just put a noose around its chest. That bird was not well.”

— Kevin J. McGowan, Ornithologist, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (dnyuz.com)

“We are doing our best to keep the bird stable, and should it improve, we will do further diagnostics, X-rays and bloodwork to help determine a course of action going forward. At this time, we are providing appropriate supportive care in the hopes that we can stabilize the patient for further treatment.”

— Christopher D. Soucy, Executive Director, Raptor Trust (dnyuz.com)

What’s next

The Raptor Trust will continue to provide medical care and treatment for the injured bald eagle, with the goal of stabilizing the bird's condition and determining the best course of action for its recovery and potential release back into the wild.

The takeaway

This dramatic rescue operation highlights the ongoing conservation efforts to protect bald eagles, a species that was once on the brink of extinction but has made a remarkable comeback in recent decades. The presence of these majestic birds along the Hudson River is a testament to the success of these efforts and the importance of preserving the natural habitats that support wildlife.