NYPD officers rescue trapped American bald eagle from icy river

NEW YORK — The NYPD officers who helped rescue a stranded and injured American bald eagle are speaking out about the rescue.

Harbor unit officers say they were out surveying the ice on the Hudson River Tuesday when they saw the eagle trapped on ice and bleeding from its wing.

They body cameras captured the squeals of the injured bird stranded on floating ice and the unusual rescue that followed.

Four NYPD Marina officers spotted him and used a looped pole in a rush to save him.

“We put a plan together, we used a catch noose to subdue its wings from flapping and its claws, at that point, Sgt. Amello put a cloth over its head and we grabbed it, walked it up the steps, and brought it onboard safely until we met the DEC,” said Officer Mike Russo with the NYPD Harbor Unit.

“No matter who or what it is, we will do our best to get it some help,” said NYPD Harbor Unit Sgt. Mike Amello.

Russo said he has never seen an American bald eagle on these waters in the 16 years he has been working there.

The bird was taken to a sanctuary in New Jersey for treatment and is expected to recover.