A heroic act to save America’s national bird
In a remarkable act of bravery, a Florida man risked his own safety to rescue an injured bald eagle trapped in the middle of a lake — all while knowing a seven-foot alligator lurked nearby.
Doug Hay told FOX 13 Tampa Bay that on April 19, he heard a splash in the lake behind his home in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Curious about the disturbance, he and his wife went to investigate and spotted a bald eagle struggling in the water, with another eagle circling overhead.
Hay believes the two eagles had been fighting when one of them suffered serious injuries and fell into the lake.
Swimming across a dangerous lake to reach the eagle
Without hesitation, Hay jumped into the lake and began swimming toward the distressed bird.
“The eagle landed smack in the middle of the lake,” Hay said, describing the distance across the 100-yard-wide body of water. He was also acutely aware that the lake was home to a 7-foot alligator.
According to the National Eagle Center, bald eagles can sometimes use their powerful wings like oars to swim, typically when catching prey that is too heavy to lift. However, Hay observed that this particular eagle appeared too injured to make it back to shore on its own.
The dramatic rescue captured on camera
Hay reached the bird, which immediately clutched his arm with its sharp talons. Exhausted from the swim and grappling with the injured eagle, Hay said he and the bird “barely made it to shore.” His wife documented the entire dramatic rescue on video.
In a follow-up recording, Hay showed the eagle resting on the lakeshore. Initially hopeful that the bird would recover on its own and take flight, Hay later realized the eagle needed medical attention and contacted a local wildlife rescue.
Eagle now recovering at a rehabilitation center
The Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida in Venice is currently caring for the bald eagle, which is recovering from what experts described as an “extensive” wound to its thoracic cavity.
Hay also sustained injuries from the eagle’s talons but said he has no regrets about his decision to intervene.
“I would do it again to save the symbol of America,” he said.