What's Wrong With Jackie? Famous Big Bear Eagle Fights for Her Life
A bald eagle that roams the area around Big Bear Lake in Southern California has captivated the hearts of many for years. The 14-year-old raptor is now fighting for her life after being transported to a wildlife rehab center with an unknown illness. Here is the latest on this beloved bald eagle.
Jackie the Bald Eagle Being Treated at California Rehab Center
Jackie, the famous Southern California bald eagle, is being treated at a raptor center 170 miles from her home after she was involved in an altercation with two younger eagles. Veterinarians believe Jackie was already sick before the fight took place, and now veterinarians at the Ojai Raptor Center are worried that Jackie is suffering from something more serious and complex.
Jackie rose to fame when Friends of the Big Bear Valley began livestreaming her nest in 2015. Since then, her fans have watched her live out life with her partner, lay eggs and raise the babies, battle the elements, and hunt for fish. She is now in critical condition, suffering from severe anemia, inflammation, and malnutrition. Jackie's caretakers are currently waiting for blood test results to hopefully give them a better understanding of how to treat her.
Bald eagle experts note that Jackie could be grappling with a variety of different health issues. Humans are responsible for most health issues in raptors. For instance, rodenticide poisoning occurs when humans use chemical agents to try to control mice, rats, and other rodents. It is not unusual for bald eagles and other animals to try to eat the dead rodents and ingest the poison themselves. Animals that ingest the dead rodents will die a slow death without proper treatment.
Bald eagles are also vulnerable to metal poisoning. This most typically happens when they accidentally ingest bullets or fishing weights. While both of these conditions are treatable if caught quickly enough, it depends on the amount of toxin ingested. Sometimes the most humane option is euthanasia.
The Ojai Raptor Center has a track record for successfully treating eagles dealing with rodenticide poisoning. Just last year, the center treated an eagle suspected to be one of Jackie's offspring using a Vitamin K treatment.
Other human-caused issues that can harm eagles include animal traps and electrical lines. Eagles are known to run into power lines and get hurt. They are also often treated after getting caught in traps designed for wolves or mink. The Ojai Raptor Center also receives about one to two birds every week who have been accidentally or intentionally shot.
Lastly, fights among other birds are another cause of injury among predatory birds. It is an instinct for these birds to go to battle over food or mating issues.
As for Jackie, her caretakers now have some encouraging news to share. The Ojai Raptor Center recently gave Jackie a life-saving blood transfusion from another eagle, and she is showing encouraging signs of improvement, though she remains in critical condition. The center is reminding the eagle's fans that "Wildlife medicine takes time, and some answers simply cannot be rushed." The employees at the center continue to express optimism that this resilient bird will pull through her latest setback.
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