A Friday update on the health status of the cherished Big Bear bald eagle Jackie is “not positive” after a difficult Thursday night for her, according to the Ventura County-based rescue facility caring for her.
Read more A helicopter battling a Utah wildfire crashes with no word on the 2 people aboard
Jackie remains in the Ojai Raptor Center’s intensive care unit and continues to receive oxygen therapy, said Chris Eksteen, executive director of the rescue facility.
“Last night was particularly difficult,” Eksteen said in the update posted on Ojai’s social media accounts.
Eksteen said that Jackie’s packed cell volume, which measures the percentage of red blood cells in a bloodstream, has fallen below 10%, making her condition “critical,” he said.
“This week’s contrast CT scan and the bone marrow biopsy have provided our veterinary team with important new information, but we do not yet have the complete picture, and our team is continuing to interpret these findings alongside some additional specialized testing, which also includes further heavy metal testing that remains pending,” Eksteen said.
The wildlife rescue center is consulting specialists at the University of Georgia, UC Davis and other avian specialists in Northern California, Eksteen reported.
“We wish we had better news to share,” Eksteen said in the video update.
Almost a month ago, Jackie, whose life is broadcast live by Friends of Big Bear Valley, an environmental nonprofit group, was found grounded for hours after a fight with two young adult eagles. The crew at San Bernardino County Fire’s Station 96 in Fawnskin was the first on the scene before wildlife specialists rescued her. Since then, she has been receiving medical care in Ojai to diagnose and treat an unknown condition that has weakened her.
The outpouring of support for Jackie, who was born in 2012, has been tremendous.
Every update garners thousands of shares and likes.
“It is difficult news as so many have followed her and Shadow for nearly a decade. Thank you for all you are doing to help Jackie. I feel this is not going to end well, and that makes me really sad,” Lisa Moser commented on Ojai’s Facebook update post on Friday.
Read more USPS to seek money from Congress to boost strained finances
Another commenter, Kaitlin Krieger, said, “In the wild, she would’ve never gotten as far as she has thus far. We are lucky to have watched her grow and produce offspring in the past few years. Her honor will live on through Shadow and the babies no matter what.”
Other well-wishes were sent to Jackie’s first responders. San Bernardino County reported that hundreds of letters were sent from the extended eagle family to the Fawnskin fire station thanking firefighters for helping the unofficial Big Bear mascot.
Jackie’s 2026 eaglets Sandy and Luna have seemingly fledged permanently from their nest, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley. They were both last seen on July 23.
As for Jackie’s mate, Shadow, he will remain in the area and may make a few trips back to the nest.
“We are right here with you waiting for new updates on Jackie’s condition,” a Friends of Big Bear Valley Aug. 6 Facebook post read.
“Please continue your positive thoughts and prayers for Jackie’s healing and, as always, be kind to each other in this difficult time.”
Read more Mark Cruz to lead Indian Health Service amid staffing and infrastructure challenges