Jackie the Bald Eagle Receiving Care Following Territorial Altercation
Jackie, the bald eagle famous for her live-streamed nest in Big Bear, is currently undergoing a full medical assessment at the Ojai Raptor Center after being found grounded and unable to fly. Wildlife experts rescued the eagle on July 18 following reports that she had been repeatedly attacked by a pair of juvenile eagles near Dana Point Park on the north shore of Big Bear Lake, according to KTLA.
While the eagle is not banded—making official identification difficult—the environmental nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley, which monitors the bird, stated it is confident the rescued eagle is Jackie. The nonprofit noted that Jackie had been missing from her nest since July 12.
Rescue and Medical Status
The rescue operation was conducted by the San Dimas Raptor Rescue team, part of the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. According to ABC7 Los Angeles, the team traveled to the lake on Friday night and successfully secured the bird early Saturday morning.
Upon initial physical examination, experts observed that the eagle was very weak, underweight, and had a disheveled feather condition. Christine Koh, a raptor rehabilitation manager, stated that there were no broken bones, fractures, or major wounds detected during the initial physical assessment. Despite the lack of severe injuries, the eagle remained unable to fly away following the altercation. The Ojai Raptor Center is currently conducting diagnostic tests to determine if the bird is healthy enough to return to the wild, a process expected to take several days or potentially weeks.
Territorial Conflict at Dana Point
The conflict occurred near Dana Point Park, an area popular with bird enthusiasts. Cellphone video captured the eagle fending off two subadult eagles by turning over and using her talons. Jenny Voisard of Friends of Big Bear Valley indicated that the younger birds appeared to be targeting the eagle’s food and attempting to encroach upon her territory.
While Jackie is known for her strength, officials noted that her inability to easily deter the younger birds was concerning. In her prime, for sure, she would not have had a problem with a subadult,
Koh said. The eagle is currently receiving specialized veterinary care, and officials are urging the public not to contact the rehabilitation facility directly to ensure the staff can focus on the patient’s recovery.
Impact on the Nest and Family
Jackie’s partner, Shadow, remains at their primary nesting site, where he continues to care for their fledglings, Sandy and Luna. Although the young eagles have fledged, they continue to return to the nest, where Shadow has been observed protecting the territory and delivering meals. Friends of Big Bear Valley reported that Shadow delivered 11 fish to the nest over the weekend.
The nonprofit, which has more than 485,000 members in its social media community, is currently managing a fundraiser to support the care of the rescued eagle. The Ojai Raptor Center stated that because they receive no sustained government funding, the specialized care required for bald eagles is made possible through public donations. As of Monday, LAist reported that the organization is also continuing its broader “Save Moon Camp” initiative, an effort to raise $10 million to purchase land near the nest to protect the habitat, having secured over $4.5 million toward that goal.
The public is encouraged to continue monitoring the situation through official updates from the nonprofit rather than visiting the facility, as experts work to provide the nutrition and medical attention necessary for the eagle’s rehabilitation.
Worth a look
