Shadow is continuing to care for, feed and protect Sandy and Luna while Jackie remains in critical condition, Friends of Big Bear Valley said. The eagle family at Big Bear Lake now has one parent still tending the nest while Jackie receives treatment in Ojai.
Jackie is alert and eating, but the Ojai Raptor Center said the case is very serious. The center said it is waiting on further test results and is testing Jackie for zinc, rodenticides and lead.
Friends of Big Bear Valley
Friends of Big Bear Valley said Shadow is also protecting the nest from subadult eagles in the area. The group released a photo on Wednesday that it said shows Shadow sitting on a tree perch with a subadult nearby, and volunteers believed the bird could be the same female eagle that had a short skirmish with Jackie.
Luna appeared to chase an intruder away a couple days before the article was published, while Sandy and Luna have been exploring further out in the habitat and staying away from the cameras for longer periods of time. They are still visiting the nest daily, which leaves Shadow carrying much of the day-to-day care while Jackie is away.
Dr. Todd Katzner
Dr. Todd Katzner, a research wildlife biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, said eagles typically replace a partner when they lose one. “When that happens, they typically replace that partner. How quickly it happens tends to depend on the population density. As soon as a space opens up, somebody's going to come in and grab that space because they don't have many opportunities to get those spaces,” he said.
He added that Jackie could return and reclaim her nest, territory and mate, or come back to find a new nest and another mate to start a new life. Friends of Big Bear Valley said an expert told them Shadow is unlikely to move on for now because of Jackie and Shadow's bond, and that he likely will not be looking for a mate until his hormones kick in, which could be around the end of December or early January.
Ojai Raptor Center
Veterinarians believe Jackie was already sick before witnesses spotted her in a fight with two younger eagles last week. The Ojai Raptor Center said she has severe anemia and inflammation affecting the kidneys, and x-rays found no fishing hooks, sinkers or other metal objects.
The center said it is still waiting for results that could pinpoint the underlying cause, while Dr. Todd Katzner said environmental toxins are a huge issue plaguing eagles. “There's some clues in here. If a mature eagle was compromised, if it was injured, or if it was lead poisoned, for example, that could explain why it was unable to fly away,” he said. “Wildlife medicine takes time, and some answers simply cannot be rushed. As we learn more about this patient's condition, we will continue to share meaningful updates with you,” the center said.
