Bald eagle Jackie remains in critical care as cause of illness remains unknown

Jackie, a 14-year-old bald eagle rescued near Big Bear Lake, California, is being treated at the Ojai Raptor Center after developing severe anemia, kidney inflammation and weight loss. The bird received a blood transfusion from another eagle on July 20, which veterinarians described as "life-saving" and noted that she is alert, perching and eating.

Tests conducted by California wildlife agencies on July 23 ruled out lead poisoning, cancer and metal contamination such as fishing hooks. While she is receiving therapy for rodenticide exposure, officials said they do not believe rodenticide is the primary cause of her condition. Results for possible zinc toxicity, which can arise from ingestion of pennies or zinc-coated materials, are still pending.

"Her condition remains critical at this time," said Eliza Cameron, hospital and rehabilitation manager at the Ojai Raptor Center, in a video update. "This is not a straightforward case so we're consulting with several specialists. A treatment plan has been developed to ensure we are covering all bases while we work to determine the cause of anemia."

Jackie's nest, monitored by a live-stream camera since 2015, has drawn a large online following. The Friends of Big Bear Valley group that manages the camera posted that she is in "guarded condition" and can deteriorate quickly, urging supporters to keep the family in their thoughts.

The raptor center cautioned that while the collaborative effort is encouraging, it is too early to predict the outcome and that wildlife medicine often requires patience as some answers take time.

Jackie's mate, Shadow, continues to provide fish for their fledglings Sandy and Luna, who have begun to fly in and out of the nest but still rely on parental support.