OJAI, Calif., Aug. 7 (Nationwide Times) — Jackie, the bald eagle associated with the Big Bear Valley nest camera, remains in critical condition while receiving intensive veterinary care at the Ojai Raptor Center in California.
The center’s most recent reported update said Jackie’s packed cell volume, or PCV, had fallen from 16% to 13%. PCV measures the percentage of blood made up of red blood cells. A low result indicates anemia, a condition in which the blood cannot carry oxygen normally.
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 happened to Jackie?
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 updates do not provide definitive identification details.
Jackie was transferred to the Ojai facility in July. The Ojai Raptor Center reported that she was severely anemic and had inflammation affecting her kidneys.
Testing ruled out lead toxicosis and foreign objects such as fishing hooks, fishing line and weights, according to the center. Earlier updates had also mentioned testing for other possible exposures, including zinc or rodenticide, but the available information does not give final results for those tests.
Why did her condition appear to improve?
Jackie received a blood transfusion using blood from Spirit, a resident bald eagle at the California Living Museum in Bakersfield. The Ojai Raptor Center called the transfusion an important treatment milestone.
After a weekend setback, the center reported that Jackie’s PCV rose from 8% to 16%. She was eating independently and showed more energy and alertness.
Jackie later moved from the intensive-care unit to a regular hospital care unit because she no longer needed oxygen therapy. The center described that move as an encouraging step but stressed that she remained very sick and required close monitoring and treatment.
What does the latest decline mean?
The later drop in PCV to 13% indicates that Jackie’s anemia had worsened again. That change does not establish a new diagnosis, and the Ojai Raptor Center has not said what caused the anemia or whether the bird has returned to intensive care.
The available updates also do not provide a prognosis, a release date or a complete clinical report after the PCV decline. The center’s veterinary team is continuing to investigate the illness while providing supportive care.
For now, Jackie’s status is best described as critical, with some earlier signs of improvement followed by a setback in her bloodwork. The case involves wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts across California, including the San Dimas Raptor Rescue team, the Ojai Raptor Center and the California Living Museum.
