She was known around the world as 'Jackie' from the Friends of Big Bear Valley live-stream nest cameras. 

While temporarily possessed for the purpose of rehabilitation at Ojai Raptor Center, ‘Jackie’ was identified by her patient number (Bald Eagle 26-519), the 519th intake of 2026. Assigning “Jackie” with this patient identifier is consistent with the conditions of their wildlife rehabilitation permit issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and their migratory bird rehabilitation permit issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Specifically, Title 14, California Code of Regulation, § 679.5. (a)(7) establishes the requirement: “Public Display. A rehabilitation animal shall only be depicted in a public facing photograph or video under conditions that are consistent with the natural life history and behaviors of that species or showing the animal receiving appropriate medical treatment and only publicly referenced by intake number, common species or scientific name”. Additionally, Ojai Raptor Center adheres to an internal staff policy that ensures consistent veterinary medical identification while emphasizing that wildlife remains wild.

She was found grounded near Big Bear Lake and unable to fly. Initial examination revealed severe anemia, emaciation, dehydration, abnormal kidney and lung findings, and other systemic health concerns requiring intensive care.

Eagle 26-519’s case brought together an unprecedented team of wildlife experts. 

Organizations involved included: 

• Ojai Raptor Center 

• Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (Ventura) 

• California Living Museum (CALM) Zoo 

• Scientific Advisory Council 

• Avian Veterinary specialists from across North America 

Treatments included:

• Blood transfusion 

• Oxygen therapy 

• Intensive fluid therapy 

• Anti-parasitic / anti-microbial medications 

• Nutritional support 

• CT imaging 

• Bone marrow biopsy 

• Specialized laboratory diagnostics 

• Steroid therapy 

• Continuous monitoring

PCV (packed cell volume) measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Because Patient 26-519 had severe anemia, her PCV was an important way to monitor her condition and response to treatment. However, it was only one of many factors our veterinary team considered.

While her anemia and impaired red blood cell production were clearly affecting her condition, the postmortem investigation provided further insight into why her anemia was so severe and persistent. The necropsy identified chronic blood loss associated with severe ulceration of her ventriculus, while bone marrow examination showed that developing red blood cells were not maturing normally

Her severe anemia required a blood transfusion to increase the red blood cells available to carry oxygen throughout her body. The blood was donated by Spirit, a Bald Eagle residing at CALM in Bakersfield.

A transfusion provides temporary support but does not correct the underlying cause of anemia. Additional transfusions carry risks, and the same donor cannot be used safely repeatedly without allowing adequate time for their red blood cells to recover. So the decision to transfuse is based on the patient's overall condition, not simply a PCV number.

The postmortem investigation later identified severe chronic disease and ulceration of the ventriculus, or muscular stomach, which provided a source of ongoing blood loss and helped explain why the anemia persisted despite treatment.

Severe anemia is a finding, not a diagnosis. Testing was necessary to determine why she was anemic and critically ill. Some diagnostic tests could only be considered once other possible causes had been ruled out, while others needed to be interpreted alongside earlier results. As new information became available, it helped our veterinary team and consulting specialists determine which tests were appropriate next and guide her ongoing care.

Ultimately, some of the most important abnormalities could only be fully characterized through postmortem examination of affected tissues and specialized laboratory testing. This included microscopic examination and testing that demonstrated influenza virus within the severe ventricular lesion.

There is no evidence that the altercation caused her underlying illness and we found no injuries related to that interaction. Patient 26-519 was found grounded, unable to fly, underweight and already critically ill. 

Her diagnostics identified severe anemia and other significant medical abnormalities, but no traumatic injuries that explained her condition. It is possible that, already weakened by illness, she was less able to defend herself during the altercation. 

The most likely causes of her grounding were her anemia and her weight loss. The younger eagles most likely attacked her because they thought she was sitting on prey, as prey stealing between eagles is common.

Yes - time in rehabilitation/human care is stressful for all wildlife. Our care protocols and policies are centered around minimizing stress. This means limiting handling as much as possible. We also batch medicating, testing, feeding, and fluid therapy as much as we can.

The postmortem findings demonstrated severe disease that was already chronic in nature. The final pathology findings did not identify any evidence that handling or diagnostic procedures contributed to her condition.

CT imaging allowed the veterinary team and consulting specialists to examine internal structures in greater detail than conventional radiographs.

The initial scan identified abnormalities in the lungs that required further investigation. A subsequent contrast CT showed that these abnormalities had improved, but also identified significant blood clot formation affecting major blood vessels.

These findings helped guide further diagnostic testing and treatment decisions. The postmortem investigation later provided additional information about the disease processes associated with the blood clots.

When wildlife is in rehabilitation, we try to limit sensory input to reduce stress. Quiet, dark spaces are the most beneficial environments for raptors, as they allow them to rest and recuperate. To the second question - there has been evidence of behavioral changes in raptors in captivity who have had mate loss and we do believe that pairs in the wild would register that their mate is not present. We can't speak to the emotion of missing their mate, as the behavioral science is just not there like it is with pets or people.

Release is only possible when an eagle can fly, hunt and survive independently, without medication. Her condition continued to decline despite aggressive treatment, leaving no realistic chance for successful release. A wildlife rehabilitation facility must evaluate a rehabilitation animal to determine if it can be released to the wild using strict non-releasability criteria. Specifically, “Jackie” was not in a condition that would have allowed her to survive in the wild; display the natural life history behavior of her species needed to survive in the wild; and it was not yet known if she had a disease of concern.

BAEA 26-519 was necropsied by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. 

Federal law requires that the remains of deceased bald and golden eagles be transferred to the National Eagle Repository (“Repository”).  The Repository evaluates, stores and prepares eagle remains, parts and feathers for distribution to enrolled members of federally recognized Native American Tribes, supporting spiritual and religious practices that have existed since Time Immemorial.  

In case of Patient 26-519 who tested positive for HPAI, consistent with established procedures intended to prevent the transmission of HPAI to wildlife or humans, her remains were cremated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Eagle Repository.

A necropsy (the animal equivalent of an autopsy) allows veterinary pathologists to investigate disease at a much deeper level than is possible in a living animal. They can examine entire organs and collect samples from many different tissues for microscopic examination and specialized testing.

These tests may look for infections, toxins, heavy metals, or changes within individual tissues and cells. Some can take days or even weeks to complete, and one finding may lead to additional testing.

Once results are available, pathologists compare them with Patient 26-519’s medical history, bloodwork, imaging, and other diagnostic findings to build the most complete picture possible.

We are a small non-profit wildlife rehabilitation organization and, like all other wildlife rehabilitation agencies, we are regulated by multiple agencies, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has the authority over the special designations of both Bald and Golden Eagles, including remains going to the repository.

What happens to the remains of any of our patients is guided by CDFW and USFWS permit regulations and we must respect and adhere to those regulations.

We also respect the repository's policy and purpose.

Per an update from the Friends of Big Bear Valley on August 8, eaglets “Sandy” and “Luna” were last seen via live-stream nest camera on July 23, 2026, indicating that they have successfully fledged and left the valley for their grand journey. Her mate, “Shadow” continues to be seen via live-stream camera occasionally. Big Bear Lake is about 7 miles long with 15 miles of shoreline. As a wild bald eagle, “Shadow” has plenty of habitat to perch, fly and hunt, and may leave the area at any time. From what we know about bald eagle social and breeding behavior, “Shadow” may take a new mate and will hopefully continue to breed successfully.

The average life span of a wild bald eagle is 15-25 years, although exceptional individuals have lived longer.

“Jackie” inspired millions of people to appreciate wildlife, conservation, and the importance of protecting healthy ecosystems. Her story encouraged curiosity and has raised awareness about the importance of stewardship of the natural world. Through her story, young people learned about ecology, animal behavior, conservation, veterinary medicine, and the difficult decisions involved in wildlife rehabilitation. Her life became a living classroom for students around the world. Her greatest legacy is the connection she created between people and the natural world. Further, her contribution to North America’s bald eagle population will carry on through her offspring. Since 2018, “Jackie” is known to have laid 25 eggs via live-stream nest camera, of which 10 eaglets were hatched and known as “BBB” and “Stormy”, “Cookie” and “Simba”, “Spirit”, “Misty”, “Sunny” and “Gizmo”,  and most recently, “Sandy” and “Luna”. 

Support a local conservation group. Donate or volunteer with a local conservation group, such as the Friends of Big Bear Valley that operates the live-stream nest cameras.

Support a local Wildlife Rehabilitator. Donate to a local wildlife rehabilitation facility, such as the Ojai Raptor Center. Some facilities may accept volunteers.

California Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund. Provide a tax-deductible donation via your State Income Tax Form 540, Line 439. Donations 100% fund the CDFW Native Wildlife Rehabilitation Grants Program which has awarded nearly $2 million dollars to wildlife rehabilitation facilities statewide.

While 91 patients may sound like a large number, not every patient requires the same level of care. Some are in intensive medical treatment, while others are displaced youngsters growing and developing, recovering from fracture repairs or illnesses, or building the strength and skills needed for release.

Ojai Raptor Center treats more than 1,000 patients each year, and during our busiest season it is not unusual to have well over 100 patients in care at one time. On June 10, 2026, for example, we reached 128 patients.

As a specialized raptor rehabilitation facility, we also receive patients from other rehabilitation centers for final conditioning before release. Our specialized enclosures, including our 233-foot flight enclosure (one of the longest in California) allow rehabilitated raptors to rebuild strength, practice hunting and develop the flight skills necessary to return successfully to the wild.

The necropsy revealed that Patient 26-519 had severe, chronic inflammation and damage involving the wall of her ventriculus, the muscular portion of a bird’s stomach. 

Further specialized testing identified influenza virus within the severely affected ventricular tissue and confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The damaged tissue was ulcerated and contributed to ongoing blood loss, helping explain her persistent severe anemia. It also provided a route for bacteria to enter her body, resulting in a serious secondary bacterial infection that affected her heart, blood vessels and other tissues. Extensive inflammation and blood clot formation were also found throughout several major blood vessels.     

Taken together, these findings showed that she was suffering from multiple severe systemic disease processes that had been developing over time and ultimately led to her decline and death.

The postmortem investigation provided important answers about why Patient 26-519’s anemia was so severe and persistent.

The damaged and ulcerated tissue in her ventriculus was a source of ongoing blood loss. At the same time, bone marrow examination showed that although it was actively producing developing red blood cells, those cells were not maturing normally.  

Together with the effects of her severe chronic illness, these findings help explain why her red blood cell levels remained dangerously low despite intensive supportive care and a blood transfusion.

The necropsy confirmed extensive inflammation and blood clot formation within several major blood vessels, including the right pectoral artery, caudal vena cava and hepatic vein. Blood clots were also associated with heart disease.

The findings indicate that the clotting occurred as part of the severe inflammation and systemic disease affecting her body. Influenza viral material was detected in some affected tissues and blood clots, and bacterial infection was also present in affected blood vessels.     

Rather than being an isolated problem, the blood clots were part of the broader disease process occurring throughout her body.

The bacterial infection was a significant part of Patient 26-519’s illness.

The severe damage and ulceration of the ventriculus compromised the gastrointestinal tract's normal barrier, allowing bacteria to enter deeper tissues and spread through her body. The necropsy found serious bacterial infection involving the heart, major blood vessels, body cavity, and air sacs.

Specialized testing of infected material from the heart predominantly identified Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Clostridium perfringens.  

This secondary bacterial infection developed alongside her other severe disease processes and contributed substantially to her systemic illness and decline.

Yes. While initial postmortem testing could not isolate the virus, specialized targeted postmortem testing confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and demonstrated influenza A virus directly within the severe lesion in her ventriculus. Viral material was also identified in other affected tissues, including the lungs, eye, heart, and a blood clot within the pectoral artery. Additional laboratory testing subsequently confirmed HPAI. 

Importantly, her disease did not present as HPAI typically does in wild birds. The predominant disease process involved severe inflammation and damage to the ventriculus, while several of the characteristic lesions associated with HPAI were absent. This was considered an atypical presentation of the disease

No. HPAI testing was not performed while Patient 26-519 was receiving treatment at Ojai Raptor Center.

Her clinical presentation was unusual and did not show the signs typically associated with HPAI. Her most significant clinical problem was severe, persistent anemia, and the veterinary team's investigation focused on identifying the cause of her anemia and other abnormalities identified through bloodwork and advanced imaging.

The postmortem investigation subsequently identified an unusual presentation of HPAI involving severe disease of the ventriculus, the muscular portion of a bird's stomach. Routine postmortem swabs contained only low levels of detectable viral material, while specialized testing of the affected internal tissues provided much stronger evidence of infection.

The diagnosis was ultimately established through the postmortem investigation, including microscopic examination and specialized laboratory testing.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) can pose a risk to wild and domestic animals and, in some circumstances, to people who have close or prolonged contact with infected animals.

Because HPAI was only identified through the postmortem investigation, we cannot determine exactly how much infectious virus Patient 26-519 may have been shedding during her hospitalization. Postmortem testing of routine choanal and cloacal swabs detected very low levels of viral material, while substantially higher levels were identified within specific affected internal tissues.

Ojai Raptor Center maintains biosecurity protocols designed to protect staff, volunteers, and patients to reduce the risk of disease transmission and cross-contamination.

Based on the information currently available, there is no evidence of HPAI transmission associated with Patient 26-519's care.

Toxicology testing detected brodifacoum, an anticoagulant rodenticide, in Patient 26-519’s liver. Testing also detected PCBs and DDE, a persistent breakdown product of the pesticide DDT, demonstrating exposure to multiple environmental contaminants during her lifetime. 

However, the postmortem findings did not show the pattern of uncontrolled bleeding typically associated with fatal anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning. Instead, the necropsy documented extensive blood clot formation in multiple vessels. The brodifacoum exposure was therefore not identified as the primary cause of her illness or death. However, its potential contribution to the overall severity of her condition cannot be completely excluded.

These findings highlight how substances introduced into the environment can move through food webs and accumulate in wildlife. Raptors and other predators can be exposed indirectly when consuming contaminated prey, sometimes long after these substances were originally introduced into the environment.

Reducing the use of rodenticides and other harmful chemicals, while protecting healthy habitats and natural food webs, remains an important part of wildlife conservation.

Complex medical cases often benefit from collaboration between veterinary teams, specialists, and diagnostic laboratories, much like in human medicine.

Throughout Patient 26-519's hospitalization, Ojai Raptor Center coordinated her medical care while consulting with specialists and partner organizations to investigate her severe anemia and other medical abnormalities.

These collaborations provided access to additional expertise, advanced diagnostic equipment, specialized laboratory testing, and resources such as a suitable Bald Eagle blood donor for her transfusion.

It allows different areas of expertise and resources to be brought together to support informed treatment decisions and patient care.

We are grateful to the many veterinary specialists, laboratories, and partner organizations who contributed to Patient 26-519's care.