Still in critical condition, Big Bear eagle Jackie gets life-saving blood transfusion

This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.

Set us as preferred Nearly a week after being rescued near Big Bear Lake, Jackie — half of a celebrity bald eagle couple — remains in critical condition as veterinarians continue to puzzle over the cause of her maladies.Back at the nest, Shadow is caring for their eaglets but may be spending time with a younger female.Suffering from severe anemia and kidney inflammation, Jackie received a life-saving blood transfusion but is still in intensive care.

The blood was provided by Spirit, an eagle living at a Bakersfield zoo, according to the Ojai Raptor Center, where she’s receiving treatment.Announced in an Instagram post Thursday, the center said the 14-year-old eagle’s kidney inflammation has improved.

But experts are still trying to understand the cause of her anemia.They’ve ruled out lead toxicity and the presence of objects like fishing hooks and weights.

Photos accompanying the post show staff tending to the eagle, who appears massive on a medical table.“The eagle continues to perch and eat, and there is slight improvement in her energy,” says the center’s Eliza Cameron in the post.“Her condition remains critical at this time, and this is not a straightforward case.” Climate & Environment Rescued Big Bear eagle Jackie has anemia and kidney inflammation, and remains in critical condition.

However, she is eating and even fighting with care staff, according to an educational nonprofit.For now, she’s receiving intensive treatment in the center’s urgent care unit, and her care team says it’s too soon to predict the outcome.The Ojai Raptor Center doesn’t refer to its patient as Jackie, but as bald eagle “26-519,” noting in an earlier post that it can’t be 100% sure of the bird’s identity but suspect it hails from the duo made famous by a nest livestream that draws thousands of viewers.Fr...