Jackie, the world-renowned bald eagle mother from Big Bear Lake, is out of intensive care but still not out of “danger,” according to the Ojai Raptor Center, which is caring for her.
The Ventura County-based facility took to social media on Wednesday, to announce the health update on “Bald Eagle 26-519,” better known as Jackie., as she recovers from injuries apparently suffered in a confrontation with two young eagles on Friday, July 17.
Raptor Center officials said Jackie, the eagle mate of Shadow and mother to recently fledged offspring Sandy and Luna, continues to receive around-the-clock veterinary care.
“We’re pleased to share that she has now been moved from our intensive care unit, where she required oxygen therapy, to one of our regular hospital care units,” the center stated.
They added that while the health update on Jackie was “an encouraging milestone,” the mama eagle “remains a very sick patient and continues to require intensive treatment and monitoring.”
“This is an encouraging step forward, but it does not mean she is out of danger,” Ojai Raptor Center officials said.
Life-saving treatment
Jackie arrived at the Raptor Center after she was involved in a ground altercation with two juvenile eagles near the family nest in the San Bernardino Mountains.
On July 16, an adult eagle, later identified as Jackie, was spotted on the ground near the family nest in Fawnskin.
The following day, she was involved in the altercation. An online video showed Jackie using her talons to battle the young eagles.
Soon after, Jackie was rescued and was eventually transported to the San Dimas Raptor Rescue in Los Angeles County. She was later sent to the Ojai Raptor Center, where she underwent life-saving treatment and still remains.
Raptor Center
The Raptor Center said they are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support, encouragement and kindness shown to their team throughout Jackie’s care.
“Your messages on social media truly mean a great deal to all of us,” said Raptor Center staff, who reminded the public and media to refrain from calling, texting, emailing, or visiting our facility for updates.
“We will continue sharing meaningful updates through our official social media channels as new information becomes available,” the center said.
Raptor Center staff also invited the public to consider supporting the center’s work by visiting their website or the Bald Eagle Rehabilitation Campaign.
“Your generosity helps us provide specialized care for this patient while strengthening our ability to care for future Bald Eagles and the hundreds of other wild birds that arrive at Ojai Raptor Center each year,” the center said.
Back at the nest
Meanwhile, the Friends of Big Bear Valley’s tree top cameras continue to monitor the family nest 24/7.
After Jackie last left the nest, Shadow was seen watching over the couple’s eaglets, Sandy and Luna, at the family nest atop a nearly 145-foot Jeffrey pine tree.
But over the last two weeks, the nest has remained mostly vacant, with occasional visits from the eagle family, squirrels, chipmunks and other birds.
One of the cameras picked up Shadow perched nearby and near a subadult eagle, which many online supporters fear is a female trying to win the affection by “flirting” with Jackie’s mate. Some eagle fans are calling the new female “Jolene,” the name of an adulterous woman mentioned in Dolly Parton’s song of the same name.
Hormones direct the way
FOBBV officials said that Shadow is a “wild and free eagle,” and it is up to Shadow what direction he goes.
An eagle expert at the rescue center explained that due to the incredible bond Jackie and Shadow have, it would be unlikely for him to move on now.
Despite the unlikelihood of Shadow looking for a mate, things could change once his “hormones kick in” around the end of December or early January, FOBBV said.
“We noticed that Jackie’s hormones seem to kick in earlier and she becomes frisky, and Shadow generally has a case of the December grumpies until his kick in,” FOBBV said. “But again, Shadow will do what Shadow wants to, and we have no say so in the matter.”
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Jackie the eagle out of intensive care, not out of ‘danger’
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
