Skip to main content

Bald eagle Jackie gets life-saving transfusion, she “remains bright and strong” but critical, animal care says

Click here for updates on this story

    OJAI, California (KCAL, KCBS) — Big Bear’s nest-cam famous bald eagle Jackie remains in urgent care after receiving a life-saving transfusion, with animal care specialists saying she continues to receive intensive care.

Jackie has received around-the-clock care at the Ojai Raptor Center for several days after she was rescued following a fight with two other eagles.

In a Thursday Facebook post, the center said the transfusion was “an important milestone in her treatment.” It was made possible thanks to the resident bald eagle Spirit at the California Living Museum in Bakersfield.

“She is eating well, perching, and remains bright and strong,” Ojai Raptor Center wrote on Facebook.

“While we are encouraged by the dedication and collaboration surrounding this case, it is still too early to predict the outcome.”

Testing ruled out lead toxicosis and the presence of foreign objects like fishing hooks, lines, and weights, but animal care staff is still working to determine the cause of Jackie’s anemia.

Initially, she was reported to have inflamed kidneys, but that has improved with care.

In Thursday’s post, Ojai Raptor Center said, “Wildlife medicine requires patience, as some answers take time,” and they hope to have an update on Jackie’s condition on Monday.

Jackie and her partner, Shadow, recently became parents once again, as two eaglets hatched in April. They are named Sandy and Luna.

The eagle parents have been in the spotlight for years after a camera was set in their nest by Friends of Big Bear Valley, offering a full-time look at the lives of the bald eagles. They have parented eaglets in 2019, 2022, 2025, and this year.

In a Facebook post yesterday, FOBBV said Shadow has been seen with a subadult on his pine tree perch, and it’s possible that it’s the 4-year-old female bald eagle “that has been hanging around and had the short battle with Jackie.”

Shadow continues to care for, feed, and protect Sandy and Luna, according to FOBBV.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Trump meets with Zelenskyy and Netanyahu amid wars in Iran, Ukraine

▶ Watch Video: Trump hosts separate meetings with Netanyahu, Zelenskyy Washington — President Trump met with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu separately at the White House Tuesday amid the war with Iran and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Neither meeting was open to reporters. Zelenskyy and Netanyahu attended the funeral of Sen. Lindsey Graham, a staunch supporter of both Ukraine and Israel. Graham had just returned from a trip to Ukraine before his sudden death at 71. His last public words were in Kyiv. Mr. Trump later posted photos from both meetings to his Truth Social platform. On his meeting with Netanyahu, the president described it as "very good.""Obviously, many important subjects were discussed," Mr. Trump said, but did not elaborate. Mr. Trump said his meeting with Zelenskyy "went very well," also writing that "many things were discussed."Zelenskyy earlier said his meeting with Mr. Trump was "good" and that they discussed the licenses for the production of Patriot missile interceptors, critical in Ukraine's efforts to combat Moscow. Mr. Trump and Zelenskyy most recently met earlier this month on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Turkey, where Mr. Trump announced the U.S. would allow Ukraine to build its own Patriot missiles. "A good meeting with President Trump at the Oval Office," Zelenskyy wrote on X. "Thank you for everything we do together to protect the lives of Ukrainians and advance peace. First and foremost, I offered President Trump our condolences on the passing of Lindsey Graham. He was a true friend of Ukraine. "The president and I discussed licenses for Patriot interceptor production and several other ideas that could help. We also spoke about diplomacy – it's important that the diplomatic process be reinvigorated. Our teams will arrange the details of their further communication. I am grateful to the United States for its firm support."Immediately following the Zelenskyy meeting, Mr. Trump met with Netanyahu behind closed doors. Neither the White House nor the Israelis have yet released a readout of that meeting. It was their first known face-to-face meeting since the U.S. and Israel launched the war with Iran.  Mr. Trump, who has typically been one of Netanyahu's staunchest supporters, has put distance between himself and the Israeli prime minister of late. Although he's called Netanyahu a good wartime president, Mr. Trump hasn't said whether Netanyahu should continue as prime minister in the future. Netanyahu, Mr. Trump has said, needs to apply a "softer touch" and "be more responsible with respect to Lebanon." In an interview with Fox News Tuesday morning, Mr. Trump pushed back when he was asked about reports that Netanyahu planned to discuss information related to Pickaxe Mountain in Iran, an underground nuclear site. Mr. Trump said he doesn't need someone else to tell him what's happening there. "I don't need Bibi to tell me that," Mr. Trump responded, adding that Netanyahu is "telling me that because he wants me to stay involved." 
Read Next Story