A persistent Dale City water treatment operator rescued a trapped juvenile bald eagle from a raw sewage tank last month, saving the bird after a grueling hours-long struggle to guide it to safety.
On June 24, American Water wastewater operator Gerard Galione spotted two bald eagles landing in an open tank of human waste and struggling to escape.
After alerting his supervisor, Galione tried for hours to guide them out using cleaning nets, Prince William County police said in a social media post.
Eventually, one eagle managed to fly away but the younger eagle was too weak. The juvenile raptor was soaked through to its down feathers, “and growing more exhausted by the minute,” police said.
“Galione didn’t stand by,” the post said. “He phoned every wildlife partner he could reach and wouldn’t give up.”
His persistence paid off when Prince William County’s non-emergency line connected him to animal services.
Deputy Animal Control Officer Brent White responded to the call and together they maneuvered around the 20-foot tall tanks in the dark.
“After a careful and exhausting rescue, hoisting the dense and scared juvenile eagle up and over the ledge, they finally brought it out of the tank to safety,” police said.
Two weeks later, with multiple baths and plenty of rest, the eagle, “thanks to the incredible work of John Joray and the Wildlife Rescue League,” was strong enough to return to the wild at George Hellwig Park outside Dale City.
“We’re grateful for the tenacity and compassion of everyone involved,” police said. “Their dedication gave this federally-protected juvenile bald eagle a second chance at life!”