Bald eagle recovering after Bradenton police rescue on Presidents Day

The Bradenton Police Department made a fitting animal rescue on Presidents Day.

A bald eagle, now named Freedom, was rescued by Bradenton police officers with the aid of the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center Inc. and two “eagle-eyed” individuals, according to the police department.

On Monday, BPD posted on Facebook that a bald eagle in distress was found near Eighth Street West and Manatee Avenue.

Two Good Samaritans spotted the eagle behind a building, and called the police department for assistance. Officers arrived to find the bald eagle, a male believed to be 4 to 5 years of age, struggling to fly, according to the police department.

Although the eagle wasn’t too happy to be detained, he was moved into a patrol car until the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center Inc. arrived to take it for an emergency evaluation, according to the police department.

Bradenton police rescue bald eagle

The police department recently shared an update on the bald eagle.

“He is being treated for an infection in a prior wing fracture, but is eating well,” the Bradenton Police Department wrote. “He enjoyed a rat for dinner last night.”

According to the police department, it is currently unknown if the eagle will recover back to its full flight ability, but experts are still working to clear the infection.

“The ultimate goal is to restore his ability to fly and release him back into nature,” Meredith Censullo, the Bradenton Police Department’s public information officer, told the Bradenton Herald.

This story was originally published February 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.