Bald Eagle Jackie Passes Away After Intensive Care at Ojai Raptor Center
The Ojai Raptor Center has announced the passing of bald eagle Jackie, who had been under intensive care for over three weeks due to severe anemia of undetermined cause.
Bald eagle Jackie, a well-known internet celebrity from Big Bear Lake, California, has passed away at the Ojai Raptor Center after more than three weeks of intensive care. Jackie's health had been declining in recent weeks, drawing concern from millions of people worldwide. The Ojai Raptor Center had been providing regular updates on her treatment, which included a blood transfusion and advanced diagnostics such as a contrast CT scan and bone marrow biopsy. According to the center, Jackie's condition continued to deteriorate despite intensive treatment and the combined efforts of the veterinary team and consulting specialists. Her packed cell volume, a measure of red blood cells, had dropped sharply in her final days, falling below 6% on August 8. The center worked with its scientific advisory council, consulting specialists, and wildlife experts internationally to determine the cause of her anemia. Testing ruled out several potential causes, including lead toxicosis and foreign objects such as fishing hooks. ## Ongoing Investigation into Cause of Anemia The Ojai Raptor Center has stated that each decision throughout Jackie's care was guided by the available medical evidence, her welfare, and the center's responsibility to act in her best interest. Her remains have been transferred to the care of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The center has expressed its gratitude for the way Jackie brought people together through a shared love of wildlife. They are working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and CDFW to provide a more comprehensive statement with additional information on her treatments and test results. ## Legacy of Bald Eagle Jackie Jackie and her mate, Shadow, had gained a global following after a livestream launched in 2015 showing their nest. The center had been providing regular updates on her treatment, which had drawn concern from millions of people worldwide. The Ojai Raptor Center has stated that it is heartbroken over Jackie's passing and has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her. The center is working to provide a more comprehensive statement with additional information on her treatments and test results. The passing of bald eagle Jackie is a reminder of the importance of wildlife conservation and the need for continued support for organizations like the Ojai Raptor Center that work to protect and care for injured and orphaned wildlife.
