Jackie, the prominent Big Bear bald eagle, remains under intensive care at the Ojai Raptor Center. Two weeks into her treatment, veterinarians are still working to identify the specific illness behind her persistent anemia and infection. While staff report she is showing signs of improvement and displays more energy, her condition is classified as very sick.
Medical teams at the facility have performed a range of procedures to determine the cause of her health decline. These include extensive physical exams, detailed blood work, diagnostic imaging, and toxicology screenings. A blood transfusion has been administered, yet the source of her ailment remains unidentified. Chris Eksteen, executive director of the center, noted that the process of wildlife diagnosis is slow and involves ruling out potential issues one at a time.
Jackie gained worldwide recognition through a livestreamed nest cam that documented her time with her mate, Shadow, and their offspring, Sandy and Luna. Before her admission to the facility, she was found on the ground in a weakened state following an encounter with younger eagles. While initial reports suggested that conflict caused her to be grounded, experts now believe she had been struggling with this underlying condition for a significant period.
Doctors express cautious optimism about her recovery but warn that the process could take weeks or months. Staff members continue to monitor her blood counts and plan to conduct further tests for heavy metal contamination. These results, which help finalize a diagnosis, are expected to take several weeks to process. The public continues to track her progress as she receives care.