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Florida Man Bravely Swims Into Alligator Lake To Save Bald Eagle In Distress

May 5, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Sarasota County, Florida.

A 69-year-old Florida man is being hailed as a hero after risking his life to save a bald eagle struggling in an alligator-inhabited lake — and the dramatic rescue was all caught on video.

Justin Matthews / Facebook

Doug Hay of Lakewood Ranch heard a loud splash behind his home on April 19 and saw an eagle flailing in the middle of the lake. Fully aware that the waters were home to a 7-foot alligator — nicknamed “Snoop” — Hay didn’t think twice.

“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.”

Without hesitation, Hay swam nearly 100 yards through the lake to reach the distressed bird. When he arrived, the eagle latched onto his arm with its sharp talons. Exhausted from the swim, Hay managed to return to shore, where his wife recorded the heroic rescue on camera.

Wildlife trapper Justin Matthews responded to Hay’s call and assessed the eagle’s injuries.

“Doug Hay called me about an eagle that was in a pond in Lakewood Ranch. He swam and got the eagle out of the pond. He said a gator went for it and it left when he got in the pond,” Matthews wrote on Facebook. “I went to pick him up and I saw it had an injury on his chest, could have been bit by the gator.”

The eagle, which had an open wound near its thoracic cavity, was transported to the Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida for treatment. Matthews said the bird will take several weeks to recover and promised updates on its progress.

Hay sustained some scratches during the rescue but has no regrets. “It’s the symbol of America,” he told reporters. “I’d do it all again.”