OJAI, Calif., July 24 (Our California Times) — Jackie, the beloved Big Bear bald eagle, is still in critical care after receiving a life-saving blood transfusion, but caregivers say the treatment has given her a better chance while they keep looking for the reason she became so sick.
For a non-expert, the takeaway is straightforward: a transfusion can stabilize a patient with severe anemia, but it does not by itself explain what caused the problem. Jackie’s veterinarians say that question is still unanswered.
What happened to Jackie?
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. She was taken to a rehabilitation facility for treatment.
Friends of Big Bear Valley, which monitors Jackie’s nest with Shadow through a live stream, said she had not been seen at the nest for days before the rescue.
Why did she need a transfusion?
Caregivers said Jackie was severely anemic, meaning her body did not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen normally. The Ojai Raptor Center said the transfusion was successful and that Jackie’s condition has shown some improvement since then.
The center said the transfusion was made possible with help from Spirit, the resident bald eagle at California Living Museum in Bakersfield.
What have veterinarians ruled out?
Friends of Big Bear Valley said Jackie had a CT scan and there were no obvious signs of cancer or metals in her body. The rehabilitation team also said testing has not pointed to lead toxicosis or to foreign objects such as fishing hooks, line, weights or other metal items.
Even with those results, the cause of her illness has not been identified. The Ojai Raptor Center has said it is still too early for a reliable prognosis.
How is Jackie doing now?
Caregivers said Jackie’s kidney inflammation appears to have improved. They also said she is eating, perching and looking bright and strong, even though she remains in critical care.
That combination — some signs of improvement, but no clear diagnosis yet — is why the case remains closely watched by wildlife rehabilitators and eagle fans alike.
What is happening with Shadow and the eaglets?
While Jackie is away, Friends of Big Bear Valley said Shadow is continuing to care for Sandy and Luna and to protect the nest from other subadult eagles in the area.
For now, Jackie’s transfusion appears to have bought time. The bigger question, veterinarians say, is still what made her ill in the first place.
