WATCH: Young Eagle Rescued From PWC Waste Tank

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA – Compassion, quick thinking and persistence helped Prince William County workers rescue a young bald eagle from a sewage tank.

According to the Prince William County Police Department, on June 24, a wastewater operator at American Water’s treatment plant in Dale City spotted two bald eagles struggling to escape an open tank of human waste.

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Operator Gerard Galione tried for hours to guide the birds out of the 20-foot-tall tank with cleaning nets, police say. One of the birds eventually managed to fly away, but the younger one was soaked through and exhausted, too weak to escape on his own.

Police say Galione had tried multiple wildlife rescue organizations when he was finally connected to Prince William County’s Animal Services Department.

Deputy Animal Control Officer Brent White responded to the call. As darkness fell, they continued to work around the tanks with nets attached to long poles. Finally, they were able to lift the young eagle out and over the lip of the tank.

After two weeks of cleaning and rest with the Wildlife Rescue League, the young eagle was released back into the wild at George Hellwig Park.

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.

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.