Big Bear Bald Eagle Jackie Moves Out of ICU as Recovery Progresses at Raptor Center

Big Bear's internet-famous bald eagle Jackie has been transferred from the intensive care unit to a regular hospital care unit at Ojai Raptor Center, marking a significant but cautious step in her recovery. Veterinary teams emphasize that while the move represents progress, Jackie remains critically ill and requires ongoing intensive treatment and monitoring.

The Recovery Milestone

The transfer away from oxygen therapy dependency occurred on Wednesday, according to updates from the Ojai Raptor Center. Staff clarified that this development, while encouraging, does not indicate Jackie has overcome the dangers of her condition. She continues to receive comprehensive medical care as part of the facility's hospital treatment program.

How Jackie Became Critically Ill

Jackie was discovered on the ground near Big Bear Lake following altercations with two younger eagles. Medical assessment revealed she was anemic with kidney inflammation. The condition proved severe enough to require a life-saving blood transfusion from Spirit, another female eagle housed at CALM Zoo in Bakersfield. Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit operating the live nest cameras that made Jackie famous since 2015, had observed behavioral changes beginning in early July, noting she appeared malnourished and was not behaving characteristically.

Family Status and Habitat Conservation

Jackie's mate, Shadow, has remained in the Big Bear Valley area and continued caring for their two eaglets, Sandy and Luna, during her absence. The eaglets have since fledged and have not been sighted on the live cameras since late July, suggesting they have dispersed from the immediate area. In parallel with Jackie's medical recovery, fundraising efforts have secured resources to preserve the habitat where these beloved birds reside, connecting public interest in the eagles' wellbeing to broader conservation goals.