What happened to Jackie?
BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif., Aug. 10 (Our Hesperia) — Jackie, a bald eagle known for appearing on livestream cameras at a nest in California’s Big Bear Valley, died in the early hours of Aug. 10 after more than three weeks of intensive medical care, the Ojai Raptor Center said.
The center identified the eagle as Patient 26-519. It said her health continued to deteriorate despite treatment by its veterinary team and consulting specialists.
Jackie’s remains were transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The center said it was preparing a more detailed statement about her treatment and test results in coordination with state and federal wildlife officials.
How did Jackie become ill?
Jackie was rescued July 17 by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation’s San Dimas Raptor Rescue team. She had reportedly been involved in a fight with two subadult eagles near the Dana Point Park area by Big Bear Lake.
Rescuers found her very weak and unable to fly. Chris Eksteen, executive director of the Ojai Raptor Center, told the Los Angeles Times that the fight likely left Jackie grounded but did not explain the symptoms that followed. He said the eagle appeared to have been sick for some time before she was found.
Initial bloodwork showed severe anemia, meaning Jackie had an extremely low level of red blood cells, along with inflammation affecting her kidneys, the Ojai Raptor Center said in a July 21 update.
The cause of her illness and death had not been announced. The available information also does not include the results of diagnostic procedures such as a contrast CT scan or bone marrow biopsy.
Why was her condition so serious?
One measure doctors used was packed cell volume, or PCV. This is the percentage of blood made up of red blood cells. A healthy level helps carry oxygen through the body.
Jackie received a blood transfusion, but her PCV continued to fall. The Ojai Raptor Center reported that it dropped to 13% on Aug. 3, fell below 6% on Aug. 8 and rose to 9% on Aug. 9. The center said it was seeking a level above 30%.
The center said Jackie remained critically ill and received oxygen therapy, other supportive care and round-the-clock monitoring in an intensive care unit. Her care was evaluated by a team that included nine veterinarians, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
A rise in PCV from below 6% to 9% represented a small improvement, the center said, but her overall condition remained extremely serious. She died soon afterward.
Why was Jackie important to people in California?
Jackie became widely known through livestream cameras focused on a Big Bear Valley nest. Viewers followed her appearances with her longtime partner, Shadow, and watched the nest during breeding seasons.
Her death concerns one individual bird. The information released so far does not establish a wider change in California’s bald eagle population or connect Jackie’s illness to weather or climate trends. No population-monitoring data or environmental testing results were included in the available updates.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife now has custody of Jackie’s remains. Officials have not released findings about whether a necropsy, toxicology testing or other examinations will be conducted. The Ojai Raptor Center said additional medical and test information may be provided later.
