Live updates: Big Bear bald eagle Jackie shows improvement after weekend setback

The beloved Big Bear eagle Jackie remains in critical condition but is showing positive signs after being rescued last week.

The Ojai Raptor Center said Jackie's condition has improved after a setback over the weekend. Her blood values dropped Saturday, but she has since been eating and showing what caregivers described as a bit of attitude.

The beloved Big Bear eagle Jackie remains in critical condition but is showing positive signs after being rescued last week.

Friends of Big Bear Valley said Tuesday that the latest update is encouraging, though Jackie still has a long way to go.

"Positive signs. Her blood is getting better. She's getting more feisty and she's eating, and we love hearing about that," said Jenny Voisard with Friends of Big Bear Valley. "They don't know what's causing it. There is a team working around the clock with her. I think she's probably getting better healthcare than any human right now. She's in the place she needs to be and we really hope we get to see her soon,"

Jackie was rescued last week after a fight with two other younger eagles. Her veterinarians believe she was anemic before the attack. They have not determined why.

While Jackie recovers, Friends of Big Bear Valley are sharing exciting news about the future of the bald eagle habitat in Big Bear. They were able to raise $10 million over six months to purchase nearly 63 acres to ensure the area is not developed on.

Big Bear bald eagle Jackie remains stable but critical as she is treated in intensive care at the Ojai Raptor Center, vet teams shared in an update on Monday.

Jackie, one half of the beloved bald eagle couple in Big Bear, has been receiving care at the center since she was discovered on the ground near Big Bear Lake after a fight with two younger eagles. She was discovered anemic with inflammation affecting her kidneys, which is why teams think she was vulnerable to the eagle attack.

In Monday's update, the Ojai Raptor Center said the team is still working to determine the underlying cause of Jackie's illness as she receives several prophylactic treatments to help support her body.

While Jackie began showing encouraging improvement following a blood transfusion last week, she experienced a setback when her blood values declined on Saturday, the vet team said.

Since then, she has begun improving again.

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.

We're expecting a highly-anticipated update on Jackie's condition. The Ojai Raptor Center, where she is receiving treatment, said "positive news" on her recovery is coming soon.

"Regardless of what the coming days bring, one thing is certain: Jackie's story has changed the future," the center said in a post on Instagram Monday.

"Millions of people around the world have followed Jackie's life through the nest cameras. They celebrated her victories, worried through her challenges, and ultimately came together to help protect the place she calls home. That may become one of the most meaningful outcomes of her story."

Jackie has been dealing with ongoing health issues after a fight with two other eagles more than a week ago.

Since then, she's been recovering after receiving a blood transfusion from another eagle at a zoo in Bakersfield.

In a social media post on Sunday, Friends of Big Bear Valley shared updates about a subadult bald eagle seen near Jackie and Shadow's nest in Jackie's absence.

Jackie continues to receive care at the Ojai Raptor Center. Experts said she is anemic with inflammation affecting her kidneys. In the last update, vet teams said she was still in critical condition despite showing encouraging signs of improvement following a blood transfusion. Another update on her condition is not expected until Monday.

Meanwhile, Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), the nonprofit that operates the live camera pointed at Jackie and Shadow's nest, said they spoke to Dr. Peter Sharpe, a bald eagle expert and conservationist, about the subadult eagle seen around the nest in recent days.

FOBBV believes the subadult eagle likely battled with Jackie when she was already weak from her mystery illness.

Sharpe believes the eagle is approximately 3.5 years old. Bald eagles generally reach full maturity around 5 years old, though it is possible, but not common, for them to be ready to mate and lay eggs at the age of 4.

"Dr. Sharpe feels that it is a bit early for this subadult to be looking for nesting territory and/or a mate. Shadow did show defensive behavior against the subadult for several days while Sandy and Luna were at the nest and seen in the area on both cameras," FOBBV wrote on social media.

The update comes as some fans of the bald eagle speculated online that Shadow would possibly find another mate while Jackie is away.

FOBBV noted that while they have been hearing vocals in the habitat that could be Sandy or Luna -- Jackie and Shadow's eaglets from this season -- the last time they were seen on the cameras was on July 23.

If the eaglets have left to begin their own journeys, the timing is normal, according to FOBBV. Previous eaglets in the nest left around four weeks after fledging.

If they have in fact left the habitat, Shadow will not feel the need to protect the territory. Plus, when the eagles are not in nesting season, they are much more tolerant of other eagles.