MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — A bald eagle is resting comfortably at the Wilderz at Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center near Stroudsburg.
Sampson Metzgar, the center's avian specialist, says the nonprofit received a call Monday afternoon from a person who lives near the Delaware River about an injured eagle.
"I warned ahead of time I will not hesitate to jump in if I need to. I'll do anything for an eagle," said Metzgar.
The crew was about an hour away on another call. When they arrived, they quickly spotted the eagle in need of help.
"She was not in the water yet; we were approaching, and she was on a branch—one of the only limbs over the water. She managed to climb up it. She had not moved, but as we were approaching, she panicked and jumped. She attempted to fly but couldn't with the break and dove into the river," explained Metzgar.
That's when Metzgar jumped into the water after the bird, just like he said he would.
"It was up to my chest. I took two steps, and it just dropped, so I had to swim against the current to get up to her," said Metzgar.
Metzgar was able to grab the eagle and bring her to safety. Rehab staff decided to name the bird Eclipse.
Rehab specialists tell Newswatch 16 that Eclipse's injuries won't require surgery, just a little rest.
"Thankfully, there was nothing life-threatening damage-wise, just a small break in the wing, which to us would be in like the thumb area," said Metzgar.
In a few days, the rehab specialists will do a flight test to see if Eclipse is ready to be released back into the wild and return to her nest.