Jackie the internet-famous bald eagle mother remains to be in crucial situation, based on the newest replace from the Ojai Raptor Heart. She stays in intensive care, receiving oxygen remedy, supportive therapy, and around-the-clock monitoring by the employees.
“Her blood values have declined once more, along with her packed cell quantity (PCV) falling under 10 p.c, and her situation stays crucial,” the middle shares.
The distinction CT scan and bone marrow biopsy she had earlier within the week have additionally given the workforce necessary new info, whereas the outcomes of extra specialised testing remains to be pending.
“Each determination we make is guided before everything by her medical situation, her welfare, and what’s really in her finest curiosity,” they write.
Jackie was admitted about three weeks in the past, after she was discovered injured on the bottom close to Dana Level Park on July 17. Cellphone video from a witness confirmed that she had an altercation with two different subadult eagles. She efficiently fended off the opposite eagles by turning over and utilizing her talons, however couldn’t fly distant. She has since been recognized with anemia, and been below the Ojai Raptor Heart’s care ever since.
It is a creating story and we are going to proceed to share updates as they change into obtainable from the Ojai Raptor Heart and Associates of Huge Bear Valley’s (FOBBV) official channels.
It’s been one other curler coaster nesting season for Jackie and Shadow, a pair of internet-famous bald eagle mother and father dwelling in San Bernardino Nationwide Forest in Southern California. After two of their eggs have been destroyed by ravens in January, Jackie and Shadow laid two new eggs which have efficiently hatched.
Chick 1 hatched on April 4 at 9:33 p.m. PDT, whereas Chick 2 adopted on April 5 at 8:30 a.m. Their giant nest in Huge Bear Valley east of Los Angeles is livestreamed 24 hours a day by nonprofit Associates of Huge Bear Valley (FOBBV) and has captivated thousands and thousands.
On Could 1, FOBBV introduced the chicks’ names: Sandy and Luna.
How lengthy will the chicks keep within the nest?
Chicks often keep within the nest till 10 to 14 weeks of age. Sandy and Luna have been final noticed on the nest on July 23 and have doubtless left the realm on what FOBBV calls their “grand journey.”
What challenges do the eaglets face?
Earlier than leaving the nest, the chicks face threats from different birds of prey, together with hawks, ravens, different eagles, and owls. Inclement climate may current challenges for the chicks. In 2025, a March snowstorm resulted within the loss of life of one in all Jackie and Shadow’s three chicks.
Throughout fledging, solely 70 p.c of eaglets survive. One of many biggest threats is from vehicles that may injure or kill the birds whereas they scavenge for meals on roadkill.
Who’re Jackie and Shadow?
The pair first acquired collectively in 2018 and efficiently raised chicks in 2019 and 2022. Nevertheless, their eggs didn’t hatch in 2023 and 2024. Solely 50 p.c of eagle eggs efficiently hatch, so this pair has already overwhelmed the percentages.
What occurred to Jackie and Shadow’s 2025 eaglets?
In 2025, Jackie laid three eggs that every one hatched in early March. On March 13, a robust snowstorm dumped as much as two toes of snow and battered the nest with sturdy winds. Solely two of the chicks have been seen on the reside cam when the storm handed by the subsequent morning. FOBBV later confirmed the passing of one of many chicks. The 2 surviving chicks have been later named Sunny and Gizmo after 54,000 names have been submitted by followers.
What occurs after chicks fledge?
Younger eagles often fledge–or go away the nest and fly–once they can flatten their wings and have feathers able to flight. This usually happens when the birds hit 10 to 14 weeks of age. Males additionally are inclined to take their first flight a bit of before females.
In accordance with FOBBV, fledglings from Southern California have been noticed as far south as Baja California, as far north as British Columbia, and as far east as Yellowstone Nationwide Park.
About 70 p.c of bald eagles survive the fledgling stage. FOBBV doesn’t tag their eagles, so it’s not attainable to observe the chicks’ journeys after they flee the nest.
How can I assist Jackie and Shadow?
FOBBV accepts donations to help its conservation efforts within the space. The group just lately reached a aim of elevating $10 million to buy land round Huge Bear Lake within the San Bernardino Mountains. A $5.5 million donation from Anna and Greg Brockman pushed the fundraiser to its aim forward of a deadline. Greg Brockman is the co-founder and President of OpenAI, the corporate behind ChatGPT. Earlier than the Brockmans’ donation, greater than 25,000 donations had raised nearly half of the required funds.
You’ll be able to assist the rescue group nursing Jackie again to well being by donating to Ojai Raptor Heart’s Bald Eagle Restoration Marketing campaign.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, In style Science’s guardian firm, filed a lawsuit in opposition to OpenAI in April 2025, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in coaching and working its AI methods.
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