BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. — The cherished bald eagle Jackie, a famed resident of Big Bear Lake, clings to life in critical yet stable condition at the Ojai Raptor Center. On Monday, veterinary teams provided an update on her meticulous treatment in the center’s intensive care unit.
Jackie, one member of Big Bear’s iconic eagle duo, was admitted after being found grounded near the lake. A brutal encounter with two younger eagles left her anemic and suffering from kidney inflammation, making her susceptible to such attacks, as per the initial assessments by the rescue teams.
The latest update from the Ojai Raptor Center outlines ongoing efforts to pinpoint the root cause of Jackie’s health issues. Meanwhile, the dedicated team is administering various preventative treatments to bolster her recovery.
Jackie’s condition had shown promising improvement following a recent blood transfusion, according to the veterinary team. However, a setback occurred on Saturday as her blood values unexpectedly dropped.
Despite this challenge, Jackie is on the mend once more, showing signs of recovery as the days progress.
In a new video posted to social media, the Ojai Raptor 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.
The team said one of the most encouraging signs of recovery is her packed cell volume (PCV), which measures the percentage of red blood cells in her bloodstream.
“Her PCV has increased from 8% before the weekend to 16% today (7/27). While this remains below normal, it is an encouraging improvement, and we will continue to monitor her bloodwork daily as we keep a close eye on her progress,” the vet team wrote.
Despite the around-the-clock work, the experienced wildlife veterinarians still do not have a definite diagnosis.
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