OJAI, Calif., July 24 (Our California Times) — For people following Big Bear’s famous eagle pair, the main takeaway is simple: Jackie is showing some improvement, but she is not out of danger. The Ojai Raptor Center said the bald eagle received a successful blood transfusion and is still in critical care while veterinarians try to figure out what made her sick in the first place.
What a transfusion means
Jackie has been described by caregivers as severely anemic, which means her body does not have enough healthy blood cells to carry oxygen well. In birds, as in people, that can quickly become life-threatening. The Ojai Raptor Center said the transfusion was made possible with help from Spirit, the resident bald eagle at California Living Museum in Bakersfield.
What doctors have ruled out so far
Friends of Big Bear Valley said Jackie was taken in for a CT scan and that there were no obvious signs of cancer or metals in her body. The rehabilitation team also said tests ruled out lead toxicosis and foreign objects such as fishing hooks, fishing line, weights and other metal objects.
Even with those results, the cause of Jackie’s illness is still unknown. The Ojai Raptor Center said it is continuing to work on the case and that it is still too early for a reliable prognosis.
Signs of improvement, but not a full recovery
Caregivers said Jackie’s kidney inflammation appears to have improved. They also said she is eating well, perching and looking “bright and strong.” Friends of Big Bear Valley said Jackie remains severely anemic, which is why she is still being monitored closely.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation said its San Dimas Raptor Rescue team rescued Jackie early Saturday morning and took her to a rehabilitation facility for treatment.
What is happening at the nest
While Jackie is being treated, Friends of Big Bear Valley said her mate, Shadow, is continuing to care for Sandy and Luna and protect the nest and territory. The nonprofit, which monitors the nest through a live stream, said Jackie had not been seen there for days before the rescue.
The story has drawn close attention because the Big Bear eagles are a familiar part of the region’s wildlife scene. For now, though, the most important update is that Jackie is still fighting a serious illness, and veterinarians have not yet said what caused it.
