Beloved bald eagle Jackie rescued after mysterious disappearance
Beloved bald eagles Jackie and Shadow won hearts on the Friends of Big Bear Valley Eagle Nest Cam. Now fans are rooting for Jackie.
Jackie, the beloved bald eagle known for appearing on Big Bear Valley’s Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, is in critical condition after being rescued following an apparent “altercation” with two subadult eagles.
Ojai Raptor Center, where Jackie is currently rehabilitating, said in a July 21 Facebook post that while the results of some “important tests” are awaited, “initial bloodwork indicates that the eagle is experiencing severe anemia and inflammation affecting the kidneys.”
“We are still working to determine the underlying cause, and additional bloodwork and diagnostic test results are pending,” the center said, adding that “it is still too early to predict the outcome.”
While Jackie’s “condition remains critical, and this is still a very serious case,” she is “alert and is eating,” the center said.
The center added that its veterinary team has begun “supportive treatment based on the information available,” and with guidance from wildlife professionals across the world.
“Wildlife medicine takes time, and some answers simply cannot be rushed,” the center said. “As we learn more about this patient’s condition, we will continue to share meaningful updates with you.”
The center also requested members of the public not to disturb the staff and rehabilitation teams by calling, texting or emailing its emergency hotline and hospital for updates, saying it will share information as it becomes available.
Jackie is fighting staff
Friends of Big Bear Valley’s Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam (FOBBV), in a July 21 email to USA TODAY, said the rescue is unable to take calls or emails and is only disseminating information on Jackie through social media.
FOBBV, which manages the eagle nest camp, in a post on Facebook, said Jackie had more energy and “is mad and fighting the staff.”
“That’s our Jackie, a strong and mighty eagle,” the nonprofit said. “She is eating well with assistance and is even picking up food on her own. She is still standing up and perching.”
FOBBV said veterinarians conducted X-rays on Jackie, and no fishing hooks, sinkers or other metal objects were detected.
What happened to Big Bear’s Jackie?
On Friday, July 17, an eagle, now confirmed to be Jackie, was seen in an “altercation” with two subadult eagles, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley.
“Cell phone video confirmed that the adult was able to fend off the other eagles by turning over and using its talons, but was unable to fly far away,” the nonprofit stated on Facebook.
While the eagle was able to defend itself, it did not get far and was seen on the ground near Dana Point Park, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Video posted to Facebook by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation shows the eagle moving through a body of water.
The nonprofit said the public tried “contacting several agencies for help with no response,” until one individual reported the situation to the local San Bernardino County fire station in Fawnskin, where Capt. Dennis Jones and a team responded, eventually getting in touch with San Dimas Raptor Rescue of the Los Angeles County Parks Department.
After LA County Parks’ San Dimas Raptor Rescue Team helped stabilize Jackie, the eagle was transferred to a “specialized rehabilitation facility.
Jackie had not been spotted for several days before rescue
Before her rescue, Jackie had not been spotted for several days in her nest, which is livestreamed online, according to the nonprofit. She and her partner, Shadow, have garnered fans over several years as they have watched the bald eagle couple raise their young in Big Bear Valley, a 15-mile-long valley in the San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California.
The livestream began in 2016, according to USA TODAY’s previous reporting. Fans have supported the eagle parents for years and watched as they continue to return to Big Bear Valley to create their nests and welcome eaglets.
The two became empty nesters after their eaglets, Sandy and Luna, left the nest in June. Sandy left after she had an accidental fledge when she fell from the nest, and Luna fledged the nest the day after.
Fans of the animals can tune in to see if the eaglets return on the Friends of Big Bear Valley and Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam Facebook page, or watch live on the Organization’s website or YouTube channel.
This story was updated with a new video.
Contributing: Julia Gomez, USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
