Jackie, the iconic bald eagle from Big Bear, remains under medical care at the Ojai Raptor Center. Despite receiving professional attention and a life-saving blood transfusion, she continues to battle serious health issues. Her latest bloodwork confirms she is still anemic, with red blood cell counts far below the levels required for her to return to the wild.
Wildlife experts report that Jackie is stable but fragile. Medical teams have spent the last two weeks performing intensive screenings, including advanced imaging and toxicology tests, to pinpoint the cause of her illness. They have officially ruled out common dangers like lead or zinc poisoning, as well as several other infectious diseases. The team now suspects she was suffering from these health complications for a significant period before she was found grounded following an encounter with other eagles.
While her recovery will be a long process involving weeks or potentially months of monitoring, the support from the community has been vital. Generous donations have allowed the Ojai Raptor Center to provide high-quality medical care not just for Jackie, but for all 91 animals currently residing at the facility. Her case has also drawn significant attention to the protection of the Moon Camp habitat in Big Bear, where she and her mate Shadow previously raised their young.
Experts continue to monitor her condition with frequent blood tests and further specialized diagnostics, including additional CT scans. For now, the priority remains her stability as the veterinary team continues their search for answers regarding her underlying condition.