Internet-Famous Bald Eagle Jackie Remains Critically Ill as Rehab Team Fights Severe Anemia

Jackie, the internet-famous bald eagle known to millions via a 24-hour nest livestream, remains critically ill and in an "unstable" condition while receiving treatment for severe anemia at the Ojai Raptor Center.

Recent Medical Update

The rehabilitation center reported on Facebook that Jackie, identified as Patient 26-519, experienced a drop in packed cell volume (PCV) to below 6% before rising to 9% the following day. While the increase is a small improvement, clinicians say her PCV remains critically low and her overall condition is extremely serious. Last week she underwent a contrast CT scan and a bone marrow biopsy; the results of those tests are still pending.

“At this time, there is no further medical update we can provide. Our entire focus remains on Patient 26-519 [Jackie]'s welfare and providing the care she needs. Every decision continues to be guided by her medical condition and what is in her best interest.” — Ojai Raptor Center

How Jackie Was Injured

Jackie was admitted to the Ojai Raptor Center almost three weeks after she was found injured near Dana Point Park in San Bernardino County, California, on July 17. Cellphone video captured by a witness shows Jackie in an altercation with two other subadult eagles; she defended herself by flipping over and using her talons but was unable to fly far from the scene.

Who Is Monitoring Her Case

Alongside millions of online followers, Jackie's condition is being monitored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and a veterinary team working with the raptor center.

Nesting History And Recent Breeding Season

Jackie and her mate, Shadow, nest in Big Bear Valley in the San Bernardino National Forest and are featured on a livestream run by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV). This season has been eventful: after ravens destroyed two eggs in January, Jackie and Shadow laid two replacement eggs that hatched in early April and were later named Sandy and Luna. Sandy and Luna were last seen at the nest on July 23 and have likely left to begin their independent journeys.

In early 2025 Jackie also laid three eggs that hatched in March; a severe March 13 snowstorm likely killed one chick, while two survivors were later named Sunny and Gizmo from a pool of 54,000 submitted names. The pair first paired in 2018 and have successfully raised young in multiple seasons despite challenges.

Risks To Young Eagles And Conservation Context

Fledging is a risky period: roughly 70% of eaglets survive the fledgling stage. Threats include other raptors (hawks, ravens, eagles, owls), severe weather, and vehicles that can injure scavenging birds. FOBBV does not tag its eagles, so post-fledge tracking is limited, though sightings of Southern California fledglings have been reported from Baja California to British Columbia and as far east as Yellowstone National Park.

How To Help

Supporters who wish to help Jackie can donate to the Ojai Raptor Center’s Bald Eagle Recovery Campaign to assist with her care and ongoing medical needs. Local conservation efforts have also seen recent success: FOBBV reached a $10 million fundraising goal to purchase land around Big Bear Lake after a $5.5 million gift from Anna and Greg Brockman.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Popular Science's parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025 alleging copyright infringement related to training and operating its AI systems.