Big Bear bald eagle Jackie’s health update: Lead poisoning ruled out, bright and strong but critical after life-saving blood transfusion
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The Ojai Raptor Center said Jackie did not suffer lead poisoning, as millions have been waiting for a health update on the beloved bald eagle who is also one of the internet-famous Big Bear Valley Bald Eagles. Jackie and her mate Shadow became internet celebrities through a popular 24/7 live-stream camera maintained by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley in California. After remaining missing for several days, Jackie was found alive but injured.“Her kidney inflammation also appears to have improved, the eagle continues to perch and eat, and there is slight improvement in her energy,” said Eliza Cameron of the Ojai Raptor Center.Jackie needed blood and it was her mate Spirit who donated the blood. Spirit was carefully evaluated before donating blood.Experts treating Jackie, however, confirmed that she has been suffering from anemia. “Her condition remains critical at this time, and this is not a straightforward case, so we are consulting with several specialists,” Cameron said. “A treatment plan is being developed to ensure we’re covering all bases while we work to determine the cause of anemia.”According to available records, Jackie was believed to be the first bald eagle born in the Big Bear Valley in 2012. In 2014, Shadow was born.In 2016-17, Jackie took a nest with a mate named Mr B. Jackie and Mr. B mated, but Jackie did not lay eggs. Since she was only just five years old it is possible she was still too young to be sexually mature.In 2017-2018, Jackie laid eggs, which hatched and were named Stormy and BBB. BBB did not survive.Then Shadow came to the nest and refused to leave. Mr B eventually left the area and Jackie accepted Shadow as her new mate.The couple became an internet sensation and hatched many chicks.In 2026, Jackie was injured in a fight with other intruder eagles.