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. 25, 2026

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NYPD officers from the Harbor Unit rescued an injured bald eagle that was spotted floating on the ice of the Hudson River during a training exercise. The officers consulted with the state's Department of Environmental Conservation before carefully retrieving the screeching, wet, and bloody bird using a catch noose and cloth. The bald eagle was then transported to a wildlife sanctuary 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 the New York City area is a rare occurrence. The successful rescue of the injured bird highlights the NYPD's dedication 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 fellow officers realized it was an American bald eagle that appeared to be injured and distressed. The officers consulted with the state's Department of Environmental Conservation before using a catch noose to subdue the bird's wings and a cloth to calm it, allowing them to safely bring it aboard their boat. The officers were impressed by the size and power of the bald eagle, particularly its large talons, but the bird did not put up much of a fight during the rescue.

  • On February 17, 2026, NYPD officers spotted the injured bald eagle on the Hudson River during a training exercise.
  • The officers retrieved the bird and transported it to a wildlife sanctuary in New Jersey on the same day.

The players

Officer Michael Russo

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

Sgt. Michael Amello

An NYPD officer who helped subdue the bald eagle using a cloth to keep it calm during the rescue.

Det. Nicholas Martin

An NYPD Harbor Unit officer who was impressed by the size and power of the rescued bald eagle.

The Raptor Trust

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

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

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

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What they’re saying

“Last week, when it was cold, a lot of stuff was getting stuck in the ice, whether it was a float, a buoy, but it looked different. I could see this white head from a distance. So I said, let's get a little closer. I said, it looks like an eagle. And turns out it was an American bald eagle.”

— Officer Michael Russo (wondradio.com)

“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 (wondradio.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 (wondradio.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 (wondradio.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 (wondradio.com)

What’s next

The Raptor Trust, the wildlife rehabilitation center where the bald eagle was transported, said they are doing their best to keep the bird stable and will perform further diagnostics and treatment if its condition improves.

The takeaway

The successful rescue of the injured bald eagle by the NYPD officers demonstrates the department's commitment to protecting wildlife, even in an urban environment. This incident highlights the importance of public agencies working together to safeguard endangered species like the bald eagle, which are making a comeback in the Northeast.