The beloved Big Bear bald eagle believed to be Jackie, made famous by the continuous online video feed with worldwide notoriety, is reportedly underweight and can only eat with assistance, according to local environmental nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley.
The viral star was reportedly in an altercation with two other eagles over the weekend at a public viewing area at Dana Point Park, just outside eagle habitat closed to the public. That area is still within her broader home territory near the park, near where her nest is located in the San Bernardino Mountains. The eagle in question is receiving medical care at a rescue and rehabilitation center in Ojai, a community in Ventura County.
“Jackie is anemic and has inflammation affecting her kidneys,” according to a FBBV Instagram post made Tuesday, July 21. The update further states that test results for signs of lead or zinc, along with possible rodenticides, are still pending. X-rays also were completed and indicate that no fishing hooks, sinkers or other metal objects were ingested.
Jackie’s life, along with her mate, Shadow, is livestreamed 24/7, thanks to two cameras installed in the nest and around the pair’s habitat, operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley.
After the San Bernardino County Fire Department in Fawnskin responded to calls about an injured bald eagle, firefighters stood guard and eventually connected with the Los Angeles County San Dimas Raptor Rescue, a wildlife rehabilitation center. It was 2 a.m., Saturday, July 18, when the eagle was safely secured, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley Media Manager Jenny Voisard.
Though Voisard cannot say with certainty that the rescued eagle is indeed Jackie, she is confident after viewing images of the bird.
Voisard confirmed by text message on July 20, along with FBBV’s social media posts, that the eagle believed to be Jackie is now being treated at the Ojai Raptor Center, an organization focused on wildlife rehabilitation.
“They told us Jackie is underweight but alert, perching and eating with assistance,” a FBBV July 20 Instagram post.
Eliza Cameron, hospital and rehabilitation manager at Ojai Raptor Center, said in a July 20 evening video update on the group’s Facebook page that the bald eagle in their care arrived lethargic and underweight, with no signs of physical trauma.
“At this time, we are waiting on blood work and toxicology results, and will continue to post more information as it becomes available,” Cameron said in the video update.
“Wildlife medicine is different from working with domestic animals in many ways,” the Instagram video caption read.
“Every case begins with many unknowns, and recovery depends on factors we’re still investigating, including bloodwork and toxicology results, which take time. Until we understand the full picture, we can’t responsibly predict a timeline or outcome,” it further stated.
Earlier that day, Ojai had created an online donation portal to help out with Jackie’s medical expenses.
A flood of support was swift. As of late Tuesday morning, July 21, over 10,000 supporters offered dollars and well-wishes.
Kimberly Aguilar, donating $75, wrote in the Ojai portal, “Thank you for taking care of our dear Jackie! We are hoping for a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in the skies above Big Bear.”
“Jackie and Shadow are my escape from life’s struggles and (are) profoundly precious,” wrote Donna Fernandez, contributing $150 to the eagle’s medical care.
Ojai Raptor Center could not immediately be reached for comment.
San Bernardino County Fire Captain Shawn Millerick said by phone Tuesday morning that Fawnskin firefighters from Fire Station 96 who arrived on the scene Friday evening served as private security until other eagle specialists arrived to assist around 2 a.m. Saturday.
Millerick said firefighters were afraid that civilians would attempt to agitate or possibly harm the eagle, which was perched on a shore boat when found.
Firefighters were also on the lookout for other predators, said Millerick.
“Other animals can kind of figure that out. They could have attacked it or something. They also had an owl on the boat staring at the eagle,” he said.
“We’re trained for a lot of different emergencies, obviously, and we come across wounded animals and people with animals,” Millerick said, but knows their “strong suit” and when to let other professionals take over.
“It takes a village to handle something like that,” Millerick said.