Jackie, a well-known bald eagle from Big Bear Lake, is in critical condition after an attack by two younger eagles, according to new video footage. The beloved mother eagle is currently receiving treatment at the Ojai Raptor Center for severe anemia and kidney inflammation.
Video captured by Duke Blackwood, who discovered Jackie after the incident, shows her struggling with the younger birds. The Ojai Raptor Center stated that while Jackie remains alert and is eating, her prognosis is still uncertain.
"Her condition remains critical, and this is still a very serious case. While the patient remains alert and is eating, it is still too early to predict the outcome," the center said in an Instagram post, emphasizing that wildlife medicine requires time.
Jackie and her mate, Shadow, are prominent figures in the Big Bear Valley. They became a pair in 2018 and have since captivated audiences worldwide with their nesting habits, particularly through a livestream initiated in 2015 by Sandy Steers, the late executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley. Steers was a dedicated protector of the eagles' habitat.
This spring, Jackie and Shadow welcomed two eaglets, Sandy and Luna. The eaglets' names were selected from over 63,000 global submissions, with the final choice made by third graders from Big Bear Valley. The name Sandy honors Sandy Steers.
Social media has seen an outpouring of support for Jackie from well-wishers around the globe, with many expressing hopes for her recovery and return to her mate and eaglets.