Nearly three weeks after arriving at the Ojai Raptor Center, Jackie the bald eagle from Big Bear continues to undergo testing for an illness that has worsened.
The Ventura-based medical facility on Aug. 3 took to social media to share that the bloodwork of “Bald Eagle 26-519,” also known as Jackie, had worsened since the center’s last update.
On Wednesday, Aug. 5, the Raptor Center said the female eagle underwent further advanced diagnostics, including a contrast CT scan and bone marrow biopsy.
Jackie’s recovery
“She recovered well from anesthesia and is back in her recovery enclosure receiving supplemental oxygen,” center staff said. “Our veterinary team, together with our scientific advisory council and consulting specialists, are now reviewing today’s findings alongside her previous test results.”
Additional lab work is still pending, according to staff, who said they will share a more comprehensive update once they have had the opportunity to review everything.
What is wrong with Jackie?
For weeks, Raptor Center medical personnel have been trying to determine why Jackie, the eagle mate of Shadow, and mother to eaglets Sandy and Luna, has been ill.
The eagle’s roller coaster ride of health improvement and decline included news on Aug. 3 that Jackie’s packed cell volume (PCV) had dropped to 13%, which meant her anemia had worsened since the center’s last update.
Ojai Raptor Center Executive Director Chris Eksteen said the eagle’s bloodwork on Friday, July 31 continued to show anemia, although her packed cell volume had improved to 17%. He added that his team would like to see the PCV level rise above 30%.
Jackie leaves the nest
Jackie was last seen at the family nest on Sunday, July 12, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley’s tree top cameras, which monitor the nest 24/7.
On Thursday, 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.
Soon after, Jackie was rescued and transported to the San Dimas Raptor Rescue in Los Angeles County. She was later sent to the Ojai Raptor Center on July 17.
On July 31, Eksteen said Jackie’s encounter with the juvenile eagle likely left her grounded, “but we do not believe it caused her illness. What we are seeing is that she has been unwell for quite some time, before she was found.”
A season of uncertainty
Friends of Big Bear Valley on Aug. 5 said a “season of uncertainty” has fallen over Jackie and Shadow’s nest, which has been mostly vacant after years of activity.
The live cameras last picked up Sandy and Luna on July 23, and it appears “they have left the valley on their grand journey. We wish them both the best on their future adventures!”
The nonprofit said with Sandy and Luna leaving the area, Shadow is on his summer vacation and will likely continue to be seen occasionally on camera.
“Big Bear Lake is about 7 miles long and has 15 miles of shoreline,” FOBBV said. “Shadow has plenty of area to perch, relax and he has no real need to remain in the habitat.”
Leave the Raptor Center alone
The FOBBV continued to plead with the public to let the Ojai Raptor Center do their job by not calling, texting, showing up at their doors, or demanding frequent updates.
The nonprofit also said it does not support an online petition demanding public updates on Jackie’s condition.
“None of us are entitled to any information, this petition does nothing for Jackie, hinders her care team and only heightens people’s anxiety over the situation,” FOBBV stated.
FOBBV said it is a disappointment to see individuals “leaving nasty comments on Ojai Raptor Center’s Facebook updates and elsewhere.”
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 Victorville Daily Press: Jackie the eagle undergoes bone marrow biopsy, eaglets fly away
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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By Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
