NEW YORK, NY (April 5, 2026) — Environmental Conservation Officers responded to the Hudson River beneath the George Washington Bridge in New York County after an injured bald eagle was recovered from a sheet of ice, with authorities coordinating a rescue and transport for treatment.
On Feb. 17, ECOs Ableson and Baldwin responded to a call from the New York City Police Department Harbor Unit regarding the injured bird. According to authorities, the NYPD safely captured the eagle, wrapped it in a blanket, and placed it aboard a police vessel.
The ECOs met officers at a nearby pier, where the eagle was transferred to an animal carrier and transported to the The Raptor Trust for treatment.
Officials said the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation later checked in with staff at the facility and learned the eagle remains in guarded condition and continues to receive care.
Background: Bald Eagles in New York Waters
The bald eagle is native to North America and commonly inhabits areas near large bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, and coastal regions, where it hunts for fish.
In recent decades, bald eagle populations have rebounded significantly in New York and along the Hudson River, where winter conditions can concentrate fish and attract the birds. Eagles are sometimes found on ice flows or near open water while hunting or resting, particularly during colder months.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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