OJAI, Calif., Aug. 7 (Nationwide Times) — Jackie, the bald eagle associated with the well-known Big Bear Valley nest cam, remains in critical condition at the Ojai Raptor Center, where veterinarians are providing intensive care and trying to determine why she is severely anemic.
The center’s latest reported update said Jackie’s packed cell volume, or PCV, had fallen to 13%. PCV measures the share of blood made up of red blood cells. A low result indicates anemia, which can reduce the body’s ability to carry oxygen.
Ojai Raptor Center officials said advanced diagnostic and expedited laboratory testing were underway. The center has not identified a confirmed cause of Jackie’s anemia or the inflammation affecting her kidneys.
What is known about Jackie’s condition?
Jackie received a blood transfusion from Spirit, a resident bald eagle at the California Living Museum in Bakersfield. Ojai Raptor Center described the transfusion as an important treatment milestone.
After an earlier setback, Jackie’s PCV rose from 8% to 16%, according to the center. She was eating independently and showed more energy and alertness. Tests ruled out lead poisoning and foreign objects, including fishing hooks, fishing line and weights.
The improvement was temporary. The later decline to 13% showed that her anemia had worsened, prompting more testing.
The center has also reported that Jackie was eating, perching and responding to care. Those signs are encouraging, but they do not establish that she is recovering or out of danger.
Is Jackie still in intensive care?
Ojai Raptor Center previously said Jackie moved from its intensive-care unit to a regular hospital care unit because she no longer needed oxygen therapy. The center cautioned that she remained very sick and still required close monitoring and intensive treatment.
The latest information provided does not establish whether Jackie remains in that unit or has returned to intensive care after her blood count fell. It also does not include a current prognosis or an expected release date.
How did Jackie arrive at the center?
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation’s San Dimas Raptor Rescue team said it rescued an injured bald eagle after a fight with two other eagles and transported the bird to the Ojai Raptor Center. ABC News described the bird as presumed to be Jackie.
The available information does not provide definitive identification details for the rescued bird. Reports place the rescue and treatment in California, involving the Big Bear Valley area, Los Angeles County, Ojai and Bakersfield.
Why has the cause been difficult to determine?
Wildlife veterinarians are still investigating the illness. Anemia can have multiple causes, and the available updates do not identify which one is affecting Jackie. Earlier testing ruled out some possible explanations, including lead toxicosis and swallowed fishing equipment, but the underlying cause remains unknown.
The Ojai Raptor Center has not announced results from all of the additional testing described in earlier updates, including testing related to possible zinc or rodenticide exposure.
For now, Jackie’s condition is best described as critically ill with worsening anemia, despite some earlier signs of improvement. The most recent reported update does not show that she has been cleared for release or that her long-term outcome is known.
