Veterinarians recently shared an update on Jackie the bald eagle from Big Bear, and her roller coaster ride of health setbacks and improvements since being rescued after an altercation with another eagle.
The Venture-based Ojai Raptor Center on Monday said the condition of “Patient 26-519,” or Jackie, remains “stable but critical” as she remains in intensive care and receives round-the-clock supportive treatment.
Jackie is the eagle mate of Shadow, who continues to watch over the couple’s eaglets, Sandy and Luna, at the family nest in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Setback and improvement
“Our veterinary team is working to determine the underlying cause of her illness,” the Raptor Center reported. “She is currently receiving several prophylactic treatments to help support her body.”
After showing encouraging improvement following Jackie’s blood transfusion, she experienced a setback on Saturday when her blood values declined again, the center said.
“Since then, she has improved once more,” Raptor Center staff said. “She is eating on her own, her energy and alertness have noticeably improved, and she has become much more feisty during feedings.”
Blood volume improves
One of the most encouraging changes the team has seen is Jackie’s packed cell volume, which measures the percentage of red blood cells in her bloodstream.
“Her PCV has increased from 8% before the weekend to 16% today (7/27),” the Raptor Center reported. “While this remains below normal, it is an encouraging improvement, and we will continue to monitor her bloodwork daily as we keep a close eye on her progress.”
Complex case
The medical facility added that despite extensive diagnostic testing and consultation with experienced wildlife veterinarians, we still do not have a definitive diagnosis.
“Cases like this can be incredibly complex, and we will continue adjusting her treatment as new information becomes available,” the Raptor Center said.
The center expressed its gratitude to the public for the thousands of messages of encouragement and for their continued support.
The center continues to ask the public and media to refrain from contacting them, in order to give its veterinary and rehabilitation teams the time and space they need to focus on patient care.
“We promise to continue sharing meaningful updates through our official social media channels as soon as new information becomes available,” Raptor Center staff said.
Ground altercation
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 a ground altercation with two juvenile eagles near the family nest in the San Bernardino Mountains.
An online video showed Jackie using her talons to battle the young eagles. Soon after, she was rescued and eventually transported to the San Dimas Raptor Rescue in Los Angeles County.
She was later sent to the Ojai Raptor Center in Ventura County, where she underwent life-saving treatment and still remains.
Jackie’s previous subadult encounter
FOBBV shared that before its nonprofit Executive Director Sandy Steers passed away at her home on Feb. 11, 2026, she and a colleague spent over an hour watching Jackie and a subadult back in 2023.
“Jackie was not concerned at all about the subadult perching with her,” FOBBV said. “In fact, she continued to preen and seemed very relaxed, though glancing over at the other eagle occasionally to keep an eye on it.”
Moon Camp saved
Meanwhile, FOBBV and their supporters continue to celebrate the raising of $10 million to purchase the Moon Camp property that was planned as a large housing development project near the birds’ nest.
The co-founder and president of OpenAI also had a part in raising the funds to the tune of $5.5 million, according to SF Gate.
Friends of Big Bear Valley on Friday, July 24, took to social media to tell supporters, “We did it together!” and “GOAL MET,” regarding the millions raised to “save Moon Camp.”
The San Bernardino Mountain Land Trust plans to complete the purchase of the property by July 31, FOBBV said.
Meanwhile, the FOBBV’s tree top cameras continues to monitor the family nest 24/7.
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: Vets reveal Jackie the eagle’s roller coaster ride of health conditions
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
