OJAI, Calif., July 24 (Our California Times) — Jackie, the Big Bear bald eagle watched by many Californians through a nest livestream, is still in critical care after receiving a blood transfusion. Caregivers say the treatment helped, but they have not yet found the reason she became so ill.
For readers following the story, the main takeaway is simple: Jackie is still in danger, but her condition has improved enough that veterinarians are continuing intensive treatment instead of giving up. In a case like this, the transfusion is meant to stabilize a patient with severe anemia while the care team keeps looking for the cause.
Why the transfusion mattered
Friends of Big Bear Valley and the Ojai Raptor Center said Jackie had become severely anemic. Anemia means the blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen well. In a bird that is already weak, that can become life-threatening.
The rehab team said the transfusion was made possible with help from Spirit, the resident bald eagle at the California Living Museum in Bakersfield. Jackie remains under close veterinary care.
What veterinarians have found so far
Caregivers said Jackie’s kidney inflammation appears to have improved, and she is eating well, perching and acting “bright and strong.” Friends of Big Bear Valley also said she underwent a CT scan that showed no obvious signs of cancer or metals in her body.
The Ojai Raptor Center and Friends of Big Bear Valley have also said testing has not shown lead toxicosis or foreign objects such as fishing hooks, lines, weights or other metal items. Even so, the team has not identified the underlying cause of her illness.
That is why the prognosis is still uncertain. The Ojai Raptor Center said it is still too early to predict the outcome, and that more diagnostic work is underway.
How the rescue unfolded
The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation said its San Dimas Raptor Rescue team found Jackie on the ground near Big Bear Lake and rescued her early Saturday morning, then took her for treatment. ABC7 reported that Jackie remained in critical condition while under care at the Ojai Raptor Center.
The public has followed Jackie because her nest is monitored through a live stream run by Friends of Big Bear Valley. The nonprofit said Jackie had not been seen for days at the nest she shares with her mate, Shadow, before the rescue.
What Shadow is doing at the nest
While Jackie is away, Friends of Big Bear Valley said Shadow has continued to care for and protect their eaglets, Sandy and Luna, as well as the nest and territory. The nonprofit said he has also been defending the area from other subadult eagles.
The source material identifies Sandy and Luna as Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets and says they are old enough to fly and fend for themselves with help from Shadow.
For now, the important update is that Jackie is still critical, but she has shown signs of improvement after the transfusion. The cause of her illness is still unknown, and caregivers say they need more time and test results before they can say what comes next.
