Big Bear's famous bald eagle Jackie grows sicker as anemia worsens, cause unknown
Jackie, the Big Bear bald eagle watched by millions on a livestream since 2018, is fighting worsening anemia at a California raptor center, and veterinarians say they still do not know what is making her so sick.
Jackie, the famous Big Bear bald eagle, is being treated at the Ojai Raptor Center for worsening anemia after an altercation with another eagle. Her packed cell volume reportedly fell to thirteen percent, and she received a blood transfusion. Veterinarians say the cause of her illness has not been determined.
Jackie, the bald eagle whose nesting life in Big Bear Valley has been live-streamed to viewers since 2018, has grown sicker in veterinary care, with new blood tests showing her anemia has worsened. The Ojai Raptor Center reported the decline, saying veterinarians are running additional diagnostic tests and providing intensive treatment. According to her veterinary team, her packed cell volume — a measure of red blood cells — fell to thirteen percent. Jackie and her mate, Shadow, are a mated pair of bald eagles living in Big Bear Valley in San Bernardino County, California. The Friends of Big Bear Valley have streamed their nesting and chick-rearing efforts since 2018, building a devoted following. Jackie was injured during an altercation with another eagle and, according to reports, was found grounded for hours before being taken in for treatment. She reportedly received a blood transfusion from another eagle during her care. The cause of Jackie's illness has not been determined. She has been moved out of intensive care but remains, in the center's words, a very sick patient — leaving her veterinarians, and her many watchers, waiting for answers.
Jackie's condition worsens, rescue center reports
New blood tests have shown that Jackie's anemia has worsened, the Ojai Raptor Center reported, deepening concerns for the Big Bear bald eagle whose condition had already drawn intensive medical attention.
According to a health update from her veterinary team, bloodwork revealed a drop in Jackie's packed cell volume, a key measure of red blood cells, which fell to thirteen percent. The decline prompted aggressive intervention: reports indicate Jackie received a blood transfusion from another eagle as veterinarians worked to stabilize her.
The rescue facility, based in Ventura County, issued its update on Monday, August 3, according to reports, describing the downturn in the eagle's condition. Veterinarians have been conducting additional diagnostic testing while providing intensive care.
There was one small sign of progress. Jackie was moved out of intensive care, though the rescue center cautioned that she remains a very sick patient. The cause of her illness has not been determined, leaving her veterinary team treating the symptoms of a dangerous and unexplained anemia without yet knowing what is driving it.
Livestream begins
Jackie injured in an altercation with another eagle and later found grounded for hours before being taken in for treatment
Jackie received a blood transfusion from another eagle
Bloodwork showed Jackie's packed cell volume had dropped, falling to thirteen percent
Veterinarians conducted additional diagnostic testing and provided intensive care
A Ventura County-based rescue facility issued an update reporting a decline in Jackie's condition
Jackie was moved out of intensive care while still described as a very sick patient
A livestream star since 2018
Jackie and her mate, Shadow, are a pair of bald eagles that have made their home in Big Bear Valley, in San Bernardino County, California. Since 2018, the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley has live-streamed the pair's life in the nest, broadcasting their nesting seasons and chick-rearing efforts to viewers around the world. The camera turned the eagles into unlikely celebrities, with audiences following along as eggs were laid, hatched and the young birds raised. According to reports, Jackie built a large social media following through the livestream, and her fans have closely tracked updates on her health since she fell ill. Friends of Big Bear Valley has been among those sharing news of her condition with that audience as veterinarians work to determine what is wrong.
The altercation and the road to the Ojai Raptor Center
Jackie's path into care began with a fight. The bald eagle was injured during an altercation with another eagle, and reports suggest she was found grounded for hours before anyone could bring her in for treatment.
She ended up at the Ojai Raptor Center, a rescue facility based in Ventura County, some distance from her home territory in Big Bear Valley. There, veterinarians placed her in intensive care and began a series of diagnostic tests to determine what was wrong with her.
According to updates from her veterinary team, bloodwork showed her packed cell volume had dropped, reportedly falling as low as thirteen percent. At some point during her treatment, Jackie received a blood transfusion from another eagle. She was later moved out of intensive care, though her caregivers continued to describe her as a very sick patient.
What veterinarians still do not know
The cause of Jackie's illness has not been determined, and veterinarians have offered no prognosis. Additional diagnostic testing is under way at the Ojai Raptor Center alongside intensive care, though what those tests have revealed, if anything, has not been disclosed.
According to a Ventura County-based rescue facility, an update on Jackie's condition was issued on Monday, August 3, reporting her decline. Friends of Big Bear Valley has also provided updates, according to reports. How Shadow, her mate, is faring during her absence has not been addressed by either organization.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle?
Jackie, a bald eagle from Big Bear, was injured during an altercation with another eagle. She was later found grounded for hours before being taken in for treatment, according to reports. Veterinarians at the Ojai Raptor Center provided intensive care, and she reportedly received a blood transfusion from another eagle. The cause of her illness has not been determined.
What is Jackie the eagle's current condition?
New blood tests showed Jackie's anemia has worsened, the Ojai Raptor Center reported. Her packed cell volume fell to thirteen percent, according to a health update from her veterinary team. She was moved out of intensive care but is still described as a very sick patient. Veterinarians are conducting additional diagnostic testing while providing intensive care.
Where is Jackie the bald eagle being treated?
Jackie is being treated at the Ojai Raptor Center, a rescue facility based in Ventura County, California. The center has issued updates on her condition, including a report on Monday, August 3, that her health had declined. Veterinarians there are running additional diagnostic tests and providing intensive care for the eagle.
Who are Jackie and Shadow, the Big Bear eagles?
Jackie and Shadow are a mated pair of bald eagles living in Big Bear Valley in San Bernardino County, California. The Friends of Big Bear Valley have live-streamed the pair's nesting and chick-rearing efforts since 2018. The livestream brought Jackie widespread fame and a large social media following, according to reports.
Do vets know what caused Jackie's illness?
No. The cause of Jackie's illness and worsening anemia had not been determined, according to the Ojai Raptor Center. Veterinarians are conducting additional diagnostic testing to find answers. It is also unclear whether the altercation with another eagle, in which Jackie was injured, caused her illness or what specific injuries she sustained in that encounter.
Compiled from reporting by 7 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
