A bald eagle, widely believed to be the iconic Big Bear nest matriarch Jackie, is currently in stable condition at the Ojai Raptor Center. Rescued Saturday after being found weak and disheveled near Big Bear Lake, the bird is receiving specialized veterinary care following a series of territorial altercations with other eagles.
The Rescue and Initial Assessment
The rescue operation began late Friday and concluded early Saturday morning after observers reported an eagle struggling on the ground near Dana Point Park. According to CBS News, the San Dimas Raptor Rescue team was dispatched to the scene, where the bird had been under observation by the San Bernardino County Fire Department. The team reached the eagle at approximately 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
Upon arrival, the rescue team found the bird in a compromised state. The adult eagle that we picked up was sick, very sick,
a San Dimas Raptor Rescue official stated.
“There were no physical injuries, so we were able to do a quick assessment; look at her wings and stuff like that. There was nothing obvious, but she was very skinny and underweight.”
San Dimas Raptor Rescue official, via CBS News
Initial medical evaluations conducted by the San Dimas team found no broken bones or open wounds. However, the bird was notably underweight, her feet were caked in mud, and her plumage appeared disheveled. Because the San Dimas facility lacks the specific authorization required for long-term bald eagle rehabilitation, the bird was transferred to the Ojai Raptor Center for more intensive diagnostic testing, including blood work.
Evidence for Jackie’s Identification
While the bald eagle is not banded—a fact that complicates definitive identification—the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley (FBBV) has expressed high confidence that the rescued bird is indeed Jackie. The organization, which maintains a 24/7 livestream of the nest, noted that Jackie has been absent from the cameras for several days, leaving her mate, Shadow, to manage the nest and their two eaglets, Sandy and Luna, alone.
For more on this story, see Jackie the Bald Eagle Recovering After Territorial Attack Near Big Bear Lake.
The identification process involved reviewing photographs and videos provided by both the public and the rehabilitation staff. Kim Bosell, regional operations manager for L.A. County Parks, echoed this sentiment, stating, But right now I think everybody is pretty convinced that it is Jackie.
Territorial Fights and Potential Health Risks
The events leading up to the rescue appear to involve intense territorial competition. Footage captured by cell phone confirmed the eagle was able to defend itself by rolling onto its back to use its talons, but it remained unable to fly.
Wildlife experts are also investigating other potential causes for the bird’s rapid deterioration. Lead poisoning remains a primary concern for raptors in the Big Bear Lake area, where lead sinkers used in fishing are frequently ingested by birds through their prey. While tests are ongoing, no diagnosis has been confirmed yet.
Future Outlook for the Big Bear Nest
As the Ojai Raptor Center continues its medical assessment, the community and FBBV remain hopeful for a recovery. She is in the best place it can be and getting the care she needs,
the organization stated in a recent update. The long-term goal for the rehabilitation team is the eventual release of the bird back into its home territory, though officials have emphasized that the priority remains stabilizing her health.
In the interim, the fate of the Big Bear nest rests with Shadow, who has been observed maintaining the site and tending to Sandy and Luna. FBBV has requested that the public avoid speculating on the bird’s status and instead rely on verified updates from the organizations directly involved in the rescue and treatment process.
