Two wildlife organizations posted updates on Thursday, July 23, on Jackie’s condition after a “lifesaving” blood transfusion. They say she “remains bright and strong” but “she can change direction in a moment.”
Beloved bald eagle Jackie rescued after mysterious disappearance
Beloved bald eagles Jackie and Shadow have won hearts at the Friends of Big Bear Valley Eagle Nest Cam. Now, fans are rooting for Jackie.
Jackie, the famous bald eagle from Southern California’s Big Bear Lake, has received a “lifesaving” blood transfusion and is being treated with rat poison, but her caregivers still don’t know the cause of her illness and she remains in the emergency room.
The mystery surrounding Jackie’s illness deepened on July 23, when two wildlife organizations released updates on her condition. They announced that tests showed Jackie was free of lead poisoning, a common cause of death in bald eagles and other birds. They are treating her for rat poison poisoning, but don’t believe she has it.
There are also no signs of metal such as guns or fishing hooks. They are still waiting for test results to show whether she has zinc toxicity. Zinc poisoning can be caused if Jackie ingests items such as loose change or zinc-coated fences or wire.
The 14-year-old bald eagle is being evaluated and treated at the Ojai Raptor Center after being rescued 270 miles from home after an altercation with two subadult eagles, but it appears he is suffering from a more complex illness that occurred before the fight. Since arriving at the Bird of Prey Center, wildlife experts have determined that she is underweight and that her severe anemia and inflammation are affecting her kidneys.
“Her condition remains critical at this time,” Ojai Raptor Center Hospital and Rehabilitation Manager Eliza Cameron said in a July 23 video update.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “This is not a simple case and we are consulting with a number of experts.” “A treatment plan was developed to ensure all bases were covered while we worked to determine the cause of the anemia.”
Jackie’s millions of fans around the world have never been more concerned about the majestic bird of prey that has captured their hearts over the years as she lays and drops eggs, raises eagles, fights predators, braves winter storms and hunts fish. Thanks to cameras that have been live-streaming the nest since 2015, they were able to see all the heights and lows.
The stress over Jackie’s condition was evident in a July 23 post from Friends of Big Bear Valley, a group that operates nest cameras and monitors Jackie, her friends, and their offspring.
“She remains in a state of alert and is able to reorient herself at a moment’s notice,” the group said. “Please remember Jackie and the rest of the family and send positive energy and prayers.”
While Jackie’s fans are losing sleep worrying about her fate, wildlife officials have some positive news about her condition, saying she is alert, perched and feeding.
The Ojai Bird of Prey Center announced that the blood transfusion Jackie received from another eagle on July 20 was “lifesaving” and improved her health over the next few days. She “remains bright and strong,” the group said.
“We are encouraged by the dedication and cooperation surrounding this case, but it is still too early to predict the outcome,” the center said in a statement. “We know many of you want more answers, and so do we. Wildlife medicine often requires patience, and some answers take time.”
Thursday’s update didn’t bring much relief to some Jackie fans.
“I am prepared for this to be a sad outcome,” Rebecca McNabb of Hickory, North Carolina, wrote in one of the updates. “I know whatever happens. She is in the hands of the medical team and they will do everything they can to save her.”
Another fan wondered, “Will there ever be a point where she can’t be rehabilitated anymore and it’s time to let her go and let nature take its course, even if it’s not 100%?”
Others, like Dee Michelle, are more optimistic. “She’s a spicy girl and definitely has the resilience to overcome this!” As Jackie fights for her life, her family continues to live in Big Bear Lake.
Her faithful companion, Shadow, feeds fish to her offspring, Sandy and Luna. Sandy and Luna are able to come and go from their family’s nest, but are not yet expected to catch food for themselves. The trio is guarding the nest from other eagles, perhaps wondering where their eagle ancestors are.
“I will continue to keep Jackie and Eagle’s medical team in my prayers, as well as Shadow and the Eagles,” Bonnie Block of Pensacola, Florida, posted. “We wish Jackie a miraculous recovery and a happy reunion with Shadow, Sandy and Luna.”
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold case investigations, breaking news, and occasional eagles. − For USA TODAY. Follow her on X at @amandaleeusat.
