The health of Jackie, the beloved Big Bear bald eagle whose nesting journey has captivated millions of viewers, has taken a troubling turn as veterinarians report her severe anemia has worsened. The latest update comes from the Ojai Raptor Center, where Jackie has been receiving intensive care since she was rescued near her Big Bear Lake nest in July.
On Monday, the Ventura County wildlife rehabilitation center announced that new bloodwork showed Jackie, identified by caregivers as “Bald Eagle 26-519,” experienced a decline in a key health measurement known as packed cell volume, or PCV. The center said her PCV dropped to 13%, down from 17% reported in a previous update, indicating her anemia has worsened.
“Today’s bloodwork brought some difficult news,” the center said in a social media post. “Her packed cell volume (PCV) has dropped to 13%, which means her anemia has worsened since our last update.”
Veterinarians searching for answers
The setback comes just days after officials shared cautious optimism about Jackie’s recovery. On July 31, Chris Eksteen, executive director of the Ojai Raptor Center, said Jackie remained anemic but had shown improvement, with her PCV rising to 17%. He noted that veterinarians hoped to see the measurement climb above 30%.
At the time, Eksteen said the eagle’s elevated white blood cell count suggested she could be responding to stress, inflammation or a possible infection. He also said several possible causes had already been ruled out, but significant questions remained about the underlying illness.
Following Monday’s bloodwork results, the center said its veterinary team quickly expanded testing efforts in hopes of identifying the cause of Jackie’s condition.
“Additional advanced diagnostic testing is now underway, and expedited laboratory testing has been requested as we continue working to better understand her condition and guide the next steps in her treatment,” the center said.
Officials said they do not yet have definitive answers but promised to provide updates when meaningful new information becomes available.
From nest celebrity to critical patient
Jackie and her longtime mate, Shadow, became international wildlife stars through the live nest cameras operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley. Millions of viewers have followed the pair as they raised multiple generations of eaglets in a towering Jeffrey pine overlooking Big Bear Lake.
This year, viewers watched as Jackie and Shadow successfully raised eaglets Sandy and Luna before the family encountered an unexpected crisis. Jackie was last observed at the nest on July 12. Days later, an adult eagle later identified as Jackie was seen on the ground near Dana Point Park in Fawnskin.
On July 17, she became involved in a territorial altercation with juvenile eagles. Video captured Jackie fending off the younger birds with her talons, but afterward she appeared unable to fly far from the area. She was eventually rescued by wildlife officials and taken first to San Dimas Raptor Rescue before being transferred to the Ojai Raptor Center for specialized treatment.
Illness likely began before the fight
Veterinarians believe the confrontation was not the root cause of Jackie’s current medical crisis.
“The encounter with the juvenile eagle likely left her grounded, but we do not believe it caused her illness,” Eksteen said in a previous update. “What we are seeing is that she has been unwell for quite some time, before she was found.”
Since arriving at the rehabilitation center, Jackie has undergone extensive testing and treatment, including a blood transfusion and a stay in intensive care. Last week, caretakers said she had improved enough to be moved from the ICU to a regular hospital care unit, though they cautioned she remained critically ill and required around-the-clock monitoring.
Supporters asked to remain patient
The latest health update sparked a new wave of concern among eagle enthusiasts who have closely followed Jackie’s recovery.
Officials with the Ojai Raptor Center thanked supporters for their encouragement and asked both the public and media to avoid contacting staff directly for updates.
“At this time, we kindly ask the public and members of the media to continue respecting the veterinary and rehabilitation teams involved in her care by allowing them the time and space they need to remain focused on patient care,” the center said.
Meanwhile, Friends of Big Bear Valley reminded followers that it is not involved in Jackie’s medical treatment and cannot answer questions about her condition. The nonprofit said it would temporarily disable comments on social media amid heightened emotions surrounding the eagle’s health.
For now, veterinarians continue searching for answers as one of California’s most famous wild eagles fights to recover from a still-unexplained illness.
“At this stage, we do not have further answers to share, but we promise to keep you informed as soon as we have meaningful new information,” the center stated.
Raptor Center officials said they know how deeply so many people care about the eagle, and they are grateful for their continued encouragement and support.
“At this time, we kindly ask the public and members of the media to continue respecting the veterinary and rehabilitation teams involved in her care by allowing them the time and space they need to remain focused on patient care,” the center stated. “Please refrain from calling, texting, emailing, or visiting our facility for updates.”
Jackie arrives in Ojai
Jackie, the eagle mate of Shadow, and mother to eaglets Sandy and Luna, was last seen at the family nest on July 12, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley’s tree top cameras, which monitor the nest around the clock.
On July 16, an adult eagle, later identified as Jackie, was spotted on the ground near the family nest in Fawnskin in the San Bernardino Mountains, the Daily Press reported.
The following day, she was involved in the altercation. An online video showed Jackie using her talons to battle the young eagles.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Jackie the Big Bear eagle’s anemia worsens, tests expand
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Rene Ray De La Cruz, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
