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BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. () — New bloodwork continues to show Big Bear’s beloved bald eagle Jackie still has anemia, but remains stable as she recovers at the Ojai Raptor Center.
In an update on Friday, the Ojai Raptor Center said Jackie’s packed cell volume (PCV), which measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood stream, has improved to 17% — a good sign. However, the veterinarian team says it would like to see her PCV above 30%.
“Our next steps includes monitoring her blood and white cell levels frequently, testing for less common heavy metal, toxicosis through a highly specialized test, though, those test results would only be available in several weeks. We are monitoring her lungs with radiographs and an additional CT scan is planned once her PCV levels are a little bit higher,” said Ojai Raptor Center Executive Director Chris Eksteen. “Recovery will take weeks if not months.”
An elevated white cell count shows that Jackie is responding to inflammation, stress or a possible infection, the Center said.
“While we know much more today than what we did a week ago, there are still many unanswered questions in this very complex case,” Eksteen added.
In all of their updates, the Ojai Raptor Center has referred to Jackie as “patient 26-519.” In another post on social media Wednesday, vet teams clarified that California Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations state that rehabilitation animals “shall only be depicted in a public facing photograph or video under conditions that are consistent with the natural life history and behaviors of that species or showing the animal receiving appropriate medical treatment and only publicly referenced by intake number, common species or scientific name.”
So even though we know her as Jackie, she is “patient 26-519” at the rehabilitation center.
After Jackie was rescued, experts said she was anemic with inflammation affecting her kidneys. She received a life-saving blood transfusion from a fellow female eagle named Spirit, who is a resident at CALM Zoo in Bakersfield.
Jackie is one half of the beloved bald eagle couple captured on Friends of Big Bear Valley’s (FOBBV) live nest camera with her partner, Shadow.
SEE ALSO: Big Bear bald eagle Jackie shows improvement after weekend setback
Big Bear bald eagle Jackie remains stable but critical as she is treated in intensive care at the Ojai Raptor Center, vet teams shared in an update.
What is Shadow up to in Jackie’s absence?
In Jackie’s absence since she was discovered on the ground near Big Bear Lake following a fight with two younger eagles, FOBBV said Shadow continued to watch over and feed the couple’s two eaglets from this season, Sandy and Luna. However, the eaglets have fledged the nest and haven’t been seen on the cameras since July 23.
FOBBV said, while they can’t know for certain, it appears the eaglets have left the area. “Here is to a safe and successful life, Sandy and Luna. Thank you for letting us get a peek into your lives!” the nonprofit wrote in a post on social media on Wednesday.
FOBBV added that Shadow has been seen around the habitat daily, but he has no reason to visit the nest or stay within the habitat if the eaglets have moved on. The nonprofit called this time his “summer vacation.”
Some fans of the bald eagle couple feared that Shadow would move on after one of the subadult eagles that likely battled with Jackie was spotted hanging around the nest. Dr. Peter Sharpe, a bald eagle expert and conservationist who spoke with FOBBV, said he does not believe the subadult eagle is looking for a mate.
As Jackie continues to receive care, we’re learning more about what the future may look like for Big Bear’s beloved bald eagle and her mate, Shadow.
Sharpe believes the eagle is approximately 3.5 years old. Bald eagles generally reach full maturity around 5 years old, though it is possible, but not common, for them to be ready to mate and lay eggs at the age of 4.
“Dr. Sharpe feels that it is a bit early for this subadult to be looking for nesting territory and/or a mate. Shadow did show defensive behavior against the subadult for several days while Sandy and Luna were at the nest and seen in the area on both cameras,” FOBBV wrote on social media.
In Wednesday’s update, FOBBV said Shadow is loyal to his nest, territory and Jackie.
“He may decide to hold out for the long term, he may find a new mate, or he may even leave the Big Bear area. We can only observe, hope for the best and see what the outcome is,” the nonprofit said.
What’s next for Jackie?
Vet teams at the Ojai Raptor Center are still working to determine the underlying cause of Jackie’s illness.
In a video posted to social media earlier this week, the center showed how Jackie has improved from being fed while restrained to eating on her own with more energy and alertness.
They noted that she has become much more feisty during her feedings.
The video also features footage from Jackie’s blood transfusion and her later perking up and vocalising.
Despite the around-the-clock work, the experienced wildlife veterinarians still do not have a definite diagnosis.
According to FOBBV, when Jackie is released from rehab, she will be returned to her home in Big Bear, near the nest.
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