Jackie, the bald eagle who became an internet sensation via the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, is now in critical condition after a severe drop in her packed cell volume.
Veterinary staff at the Ojai Raptor Center diagnosed Jackie with anemia, noting her packed cell volume has fallen to 13% from 17% earlier. The anaemia means Jackie has less oxygen‑carrying capacity, a dangerous state for a bird of her size.
Jackie’s partner, Shadow, has also been closely monitored. Together they have been units of public fascination; millions of viewers skimmed the live feed each day, watching their odd‑ball antics and bonding with the sport‑bird.
Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that runs the live camera, announced that the eagle had been moved to veterinary care after a flare‑up in her condition, and they have committed to providing ongoing updates to their dedicated community.
While Jackie has shown some signs of improvement last week, the drastic decline in packed cell volume has raised alarms: her condition remains classified as “critical”. Supporters have begun online fundraising campaigns, urging donors to help pay for continuous treatment and monitoring.
The university that hosts the Ojai Raptor Center said it will continue to provide necessary medical interventions until Jackie stabilizes. Viewers are encouraged to monitor official updates and can view more about her recovery through the Friends of Big Bear Valley website.
A link to the BBC article that reported on Jackie’s condition appears below for further reading: BBC News
