The beloved Big Bear bald eagle Jackie has passed away after three weeks of intensive medical treatment at the Ojai Raptor Center.
The Eagles' Ill-Fated Encounter
Jackie was initially found grounded in the Big Bear Valley and was brought to the Ojai Raptor Center in a critical condition.
Health Deterioration
Despite the best efforts of the veterinary team, Jackie’s health continued to deteriorate. There was a significant drop in her packed cell volume, which is a critical indicator of anemia. The Ojai Raptor Center reported that her anemia worsened, dropping from 17% to 13%.
Jackie underwent advanced diagnostic testing and expedited laboratory work in an effort to identify the root cause of her illness. However, her condition did not improve as hoped.
A Community in Mourning
The news of Jackie’s passing has deeply affected the community and fans of the Big Bear bald eagle nest. Friends of Big Bear Valley, a local environmental advocacy group, had been closely following Jackie’s journey and broadcasted the updates to the public.
The Ojai Raptor Center confirmed that Jackie had been under intensive care for more than three weeks, but despite the efforts of the center’s veterinary team and consulting specialists, her condition worsened. Jackie was believed to be 14 years old, with the average lifespan of a bald eagle in the wild being 15 to 25 years.
"It's a heartbreaking day for fans of the Big Bear bald eagle nest. Jackie the beloved bald eagle following her battle with an illness ."
"The Ojai Raptor Center shared recent updates on Jackie’s condition, including a stream of her final moments at the center.
