Latest news with #WildlifeCenterofSouthwestFlorida
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Florida man risks alligator encounter to save struggling bald eagle
A Florida man is being called a hero after swimming into a gator-inhabited lake to rescue a struggling bald eagle - and the dramatic moment was caught on camera. Doug Hay, 69, of Lakewood Ranch, heard a splash on April 19 and spotted a bald eagle flailing in the middle of the lake behind his home. He knew the water was home to at least one 7-foot alligator - but he didn't hesitate. "I saw the eagle smack in the middle of the lake," Hay told FOX 13 Tampa Bay. "And I knew that gator was in there." Despite the risk, Hay swam the 100-yard stretch, reaching the eagle, which immediately clamped onto his arm with its talons. Exhausted, Hay barely made it back to shore, where his wife captured the rescue on video. Justin Matthews, a local wildlife trapper, responded to Hay's call. "Doug said a gator went for the eagle - and backed off when he swam out," Matthews wrote on Facebook. "I saw the injury right away and got him to the rescue center. It could've been a bite." Wildlife officials believe the eagle may have been injured during a fight with another eagle seen circling overhead. According to the National Eagle Center, bald eagles can swim using their wings if they grab prey too heavy to lift, but this bird never had a chance. It was found with a serious wound to its chest, possibly from another eagle or a gator bite. Hay said in a Facebook comment that the lake is home to an alligator named Snoop. The Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida is now caring for the injured bird. The eagle had an "open hole" near its thoracic cavity and will take weeks to recover. Hay, who suffered scratches from the rescue, said he'd do it all again. "It's the symbol of America," he told reporters.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Florida man dives into lake to save wounded eagle: 'This is the symbol of America man'
The Brief A Lakewood Ranch man saved the life of an eagle that fell into a lake in his backyard. The bird was injured during a fight with another eagle. The wounded eagle is stable but has a long road to recovery, according to the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida. LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. - A Lakewood Ranch man said he dived into a lake with no hesitation to rescue a wounded eagle on Saturday. "I've been around animals my whole life. I love animals," shared Doug Hay, who's almost 70 years old. The backstory According to Hay, he and his wife were sitting in their living room when they heard a crash. He looked in the lake that's in his backyard and saw an eagle. Hay said he knows eagles can't swim and there was another eagle circling above the lake. He suspected the two were fighting. Hay said he reacted without hesitation and ripped off his shirt, threw off his flip-flops and dived into the water. READ: Runaway calf caught after running along highways, swimming across river: TSPD "I threw my phone to the ground too and my wife picked the phone up and started videoing it," said Hay. The lake is about 100 yards and the eagle landed "smack in the middle of it," according to Hay. He also knew the lake was home to a 7-foot gator. "I wasn't too concerned about the gator," Hay said matter-of-factly. He said he grabbed the eagle, and it jumped on his forearm with its talons, causing a few minor injuries. "I barely made it to shore because I was pretty tired," he recalled. CLICK HERE>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube He monitored the injured eagle for a couple of hours before it was transferred to the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida in Venice. What they're saying "The eagle is stable. Obviously, the wound is very extensive, it was an open hole close to the thoracic cavity," shared Pam DeFouw, executive director of the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida. "Over the next couple of weeks our primary focus is pain management and antibiotics for the infection." After the eagle recovers a bit more, there will be physical therapy for flight. What we know DeFouw said she believes the hole is a talon wound and believes the bird did get into a fight with another eagle. "It is pretty brutal how they fight. It's just part of their survival. It is part of their natural history to do," explained DeFouw. What we don't know DeFouw believes the eagle is male based on its size. However, distinguishing between males and females can be challenging. Females are usually larger than males. READ: Emu and dogs have a blast playing chase at Florida farm DeFouw is glad the eagle was saved but wants people to remember to prioritize their safety first before jumping into action. "The key thing is safety first. If you injure yourself, you won't be able to rescue the animal anyway," said DeFouw. "Doug did a very brave thing. Is it something we would recommend for someone else? Probably not. He did save the life of that bird, so that is definitely to be commended." Hay said he always saves animals whenever he can and doesn't regret saving the eagle. "This is the symbol of America man," he shared. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter The Source This article was written based on an interview with Doug Hay and information from the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida.
