NYPD Officers Rescue Injured Bald Eagle on Hudson River

The officers used a catch noose and a cloth to safely retrieve the distressed bird.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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NYPD officers from the department's Harbor Unit rescued an injured bald eagle that was spotted floating on ice in the Hudson River during a training exercise. The officers consulted with the state's Department of Environmental Conservation before carefully retrieving the bird using a catch noose and cloth to keep it calm. The bald eagle was then transferred to a wildlife rehabilitation center in New Jersey, where it is currently in serious condition.

Why it matters

Bald eagles are a protected species in the United States, and their sighting in New York City's waterways is a rare occurrence. The successful rescue of the injured bird highlights the NYPD's commitment to protecting wildlife and the environment, even in an urban setting.

The details

While surveying the Hudson River ice during a training exercise, NYPD Officer Michael Russo spotted the unusual sight of a white head in the distance. Upon closer inspection, Russo and his colleagues realized it was an injured bald eagle. The officers consulted with the state's Department of Environmental Conservation before carefully retrieving the bird using a catch noose to subdue its wings and a cloth to keep it calm. The officers were cautious of the eagle's large talons throughout the rescue process, but the bird remained compliant. After securing the eagle on their boat, the officers transferred it to personnel from the New Jersey-based Raptor Trust wildlife rehabilitation center.

  • On 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 Raptor Trust wildlife rehabilitation center on the same day.

The players

Michael Russo

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

Michael Amello

An NYPD sergeant who helped subdue the eagle using a cloth and get it on board the officers' boat.

Nicholas Martin

An NYPD detective with the Harbor Unit who was impressed by the size and beauty of the rescued bald eagle.

The Raptor Trust

A wild bird rehabilitation center in Millington, New Jersey, where the injured bald eagle was taken and is currently in serious condition.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The state agency that the NYPD officers consulted with to ensure they could safely retrieve the injured bald 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.”

— Michael Russo, NYPD Officer (wbal.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.”

— Michael Russo, NYPD Officer (wbal.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.”

— Michael Amello, NYPD Sergeant (wbal.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.”

— Nicholas Martin, NYPD Detective (wbal.com)

What’s next

The Raptor Trust has stated that the bald eagle is currently in very serious condition, and they will be doing further diagnostics, x-rays, and blood work to determine the best course of action for the bird's recovery.

The takeaway

This rescue operation highlights the NYPD's commitment to protecting wildlife and the environment, even in an urban setting. The successful retrieval of the injured bald eagle, a protected species, showcases the officers' quick thinking and adaptability in handling an unusual situation. The bird's transfer to a specialized rehabilitation center also demonstrates the collaborative efforts between law enforcement and wildlife organizations to ensure the well-being of vulnerable animals.