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

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.

Medical teams have been working around the clock to treat and diagnose Jackie's mystery illness, but she remains in critical condition. Dr. Mike Higgins helped treat the beloved bald eagle. He spoke to ABC7 about the specialized care she's been receiving.

Spirit, the resident eagle at CALM Zoo in Bakersfield, gave a vital blood donation to Jackie. After helping a fellow female eagle in need, doctors gave Spirit some extra trout as a treat.

Following the blood transfusion, Jackie underwent a meticulously-planned CAT scan.

"She was very calm and handled very carefully throughout the procedure," said Dr. Higgins, a neurologist with the Veterinary Medical and Surgery Group in Ventura

Higgins said the Ojai Raptor Center staff brought Jackie to his practice Wednesday. Like many famous celebrities of her stature, she was secretly escorted in.

"They came through the back door. We were prepared and ready for their arrival," he said.

The specialized equipment took a thousand images in just a minute to figure out why Jackie experienced severe anemia and kidney inflammation.

"Luckily, they were able to rule out lead intoxication, which is a leading cause of illness and death in eagles," Higgins said..

So for now, the search for a cause continues.

This morning at Jackie and Shadow's nest near Big Bear lake, there was tranquility after days full of drama.

Two younger eagles caught on video in an altercation with Jackie. After her rescue, Friends of Big Bear Valley posted on social media that one of those birds may have been the one seen sitting in a tree with Jackie's mate Shadow.

Dr. Higgins is glad to have played a key role in Jackie's care because like many following these bald eagles, he too wants a fairytale ending.

"Our hope right now is that she makes a full recovery and can be rehabilitated back to her nest and to shadow," he said.

Medical teams have been working around the clock to treat Jackie as she remains in critical condition. A doctor who helped treat her spoke to ABC7.