An eagle believed to be Jackie remains in critical condition after being rescued on the shores of Big Bear Lake over the weekend. The Jackie Bald Eagle critical condition case now centers on anemia, inflamed kidneys, and waiting blood work and toxicology results.
Friends of Big Bear Valley said Tuesday afternoon that the Ojai Raptor Center was still waiting on test results for possible lead, zinc or rodenticide exposure. The group also said the eagle was probably Jackie based on photos, videos and her absence from the livestream cameras for days.
Eliza Cameron on Jackie
Eliza Cameron, the hospital and rehabilitation manager at the Ojai Raptor Center, said the eagle “arrived lethargic and underweight, but has no signs of physical trauma.” She added, “That “will take time,”” and said, “Until we understand the full picture, we can’t responsibly predict a timeline or outcome. What we can promise is thorough, attentive care every step of the way.”
Cameron’s account points to a bird that needed immediate support but did not show visible injury. The center is treating the eagle while it waits for the lab work that could show whether the illness stems from exposure rather than an outward wound.
Ojai Raptor Center update
On Tuesday, the Ojai Raptor Center said, “Her condition remains critical, and this is still a very serious case.” It added, “While the patient remains alert and is eating, it is still too early to predict the outcome.”
Friends of Big Bear Valley said the eagle was eating with assistance and on her own, standing up, perching and also fighting the staff. The group quoted its post: “She is mad and fighting the staff … That’s our Jackie, a strong and mighty eagle!”
Big Bear Valley livestreams
The rescue has drawn attention because Jackie and her longtime mate Shadow are watched by thousands of devotees through 24/7 livestream cameras. Friends of Big Bear Valley said the Facebook post about Jackie's condition received more than 120,000 likes within hours, a response that tracks how closely viewers follow the pair.
The next step is the same one the center has already set in motion: wait for blood work and toxicology results to show what is driving the anemia and inflamed kidneys. Until those results come back, the bird’s condition stays critical and the outcome remains open.
