OJAI, Calif., Aug. 7 (Nationwide Times) — Jackie, the bald eagle known for her connection to Big Bear Valley’s nest-cam, remains in critical condition at the Ojai Raptor Center, where veterinarians are treating her around the clock.
The center’s most recent update said Jackie’s packed cell volume, or PCV, had fallen from 16% to 13%. PCV measures the share of blood made up of red blood cells. A lower result can indicate worsening anemia, a condition in which the blood does not carry enough oxygen.
Ojai Raptor Center said advanced diagnostic testing and expedited laboratory work were underway. The center has not identified the underlying cause of Jackie’s anemia or kidney inflammation.
What is Jackie’s condition?
Jackie’s condition has changed several times during her treatment. After a setback, the center reported that her PCV rose from 8% to 16%. At that point, she was eating independently and showing more energy and alertness, but her blood count remained below normal and her condition was still described as critical.
She later moved from the intensive-care unit to a regular hospital care unit because she no longer needed oxygen therapy. Ojai Raptor Center called that move an encouraging treatment milestone but cautioned that Jackie remained very sick and needed close monitoring.
The later drop to a 13% PCV showed that the improvement in her blood count had not held. The center’s updates do not establish whether she remains in the regular hospital unit or has returned to intensive care.
What treatment has she received?
Jackie received a blood transfusion during her treatment. The donated blood came from Spirit, a resident bald eagle at the California Living Museum in Bakersfield.
Ojai Raptor Center said Jackie was eating and perching after the transfusion. The treatment supported her blood supply, but it did not explain why she became anemic. Veterinarians continued to investigate the illness while providing supportive care and monitoring.
Testing ruled out lead toxicosis and foreign objects, including fishing hooks, lines and weights, according to the center. Earlier updates discussed testing for other possible exposures, including zinc or rodenticide, but the available updates do not provide final results for those tests.
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 rescued bird as presumed to be Jackie. The available information does not provide definitive identification details. Jackie had been reported to be involved in a fight with two other eagles earlier in July.
The Ojai Raptor Center in Ojai is treating the bird, while the rescue operation involved Los Angeles County personnel and the transfusion donor was located in Bakersfield. The case illustrates how wildlife rehabilitation can involve several California organizations, from field rescue teams to specialized veterinary facilities and wildlife institutions.
What is known about her outlook?
There is no confirmed diagnosis, prognosis or release date in the latest updates described by the center. The fall in PCV means Jackie’s anemia had worsened at the time of the most recent report, even after earlier signs of improvement.
Ojai Raptor Center has continued to describe her condition as serious and said its veterinary team was working to determine the cause of her illness. Until those tests produce more answers, the center’s updates provide evidence of both treatment progress and continuing medical risk—not a declaration that Jackie is out of danger.
