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Injured Internet-famous Bald Eagle 26-519 (aka Jackie) remains in stable but critical condition. According to the most recent update from the Ojai Raptor Center, she is receiving treatment around the clock and the team is working to identify the underlying cause of her illness.
After the team saw some improvement following a blood transfusion, she experienced a setback on July 25, when her blood values decreased.
“Since then, she has improved once again. She eats alone, her energy and alertness have improved markedly, and she has become much more feisty during feedings,” the center writes.
One encouraging sign is your packed cell volume (PCV), which measures the percentage of red blood cells in the bloodstream. Jackie’s PCV increased from 8 percent before July 25 to 16 percent on July 27. These numbers are still below normal, but the center calls them an “encouraging” improvement.
“Despite extensive diagnostic testing and consultation with experienced wildlife veterinarians, we still do not have a definitive diagnosis,” the center explains. “Cases like this can be incredibly complex and we will continue to adjust your treatment as new information becomes available.”
Back in Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) is also monitoring a subadult eagle that likely got into a fight with Jackie. The young eagle has been seen near Jackie and her companion Shadow’s habitat near Big Bear Lake.
According to Dr. Peter Sharpe, the conservationist and bald eagle expert FOBBV spoke to, the male eagle is about 3.5 years old. Normally, bald eagles reach full maturity at five years old. In some rare cases, they may be ready to mate and lay eggs at four years old. Sharpe believes it is still too early for this subadult eagle to be looking for a mate and/or a place to nest.
Shadow also displayed defensive behavior against the subadult for several days while this year’s eaglets, Sandy and Luna, were at the nest. However, although Sandy and Luna’s voices may have been heard in the area, they have not appeared on camera since July 23. With so many other young eagles congregating in the area, the voices may or may not be descendants of Jackie and Shadow.
“If Sandy and Luna really went on the trip of their lives, then the timing is completely normal. At the Big Bear nest, previous eaglets generally dispersed about four weeks after fledging,” FOBBV writes. “It is not confirmed [that] Sandy and Luna have left the area, we can only watch and time will tell.”
This is a developing story and we will continue to provide updates. Meanwhile, viewers can follow the FOBBV live broadcast.
Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest – Camera 1
It’s been another roller coaster nesting season for Jackie and Shadow, a pair of internet-famous bald eagle parents who live in the San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California. After crows destroyed two of their eggs in January, Jackie and Shadow laid two new eggs that hatched successfully.
Chick 1 hatched on April 4 at 9:33 p.m. PDT, while chick 2 hatched on April 5 at 8:30 a.m. Their large nest in Big Bear Valley, east of Los Angeles, is broadcast live 24 hours a day by the nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) and has captivated millions.
On May 1, FOBBV announced the names of the chicks: Sandy and Luna.
How long will the chicks stay in the nest?
Chicks usually remain in the nest until 10 to 14 weeks of age.
What challenges do harriers face?
Before leaving the nest, the chicks face threats from other birds of prey, including hawks, crows, other eagles, and owls. Inclement weather can also present challenges for chicks. In 2025, a snowstorm in March caused the death of one of Jackie and Shadow’s three chicks.
During fledging, only 70 percent of the eaglets survive. One of the biggest threats is cars that can injure or kill birds as they forage for roadkill.
Who are Jackie and Shadow?
The pair first met in 2018 and successfully raised chicks in 2019 and 2022. However, their eggs did not hatch in 2023 and 2024. Only 50 percent of eagle eggs hatch successfully, so this couple has already beaten the odds.
What happened to Jackie and Shadow’s 2025 eaglets?
In 2025, Jackie laid three eggs that hatched in early March. On March 13, a severe snowstorm dumped up to two feet of snow and battered the nest with high winds. Only two of the chicks were visible on the live camera when the storm passed the next morning. The FOBBV later confirmed the death of one of the chicks. The two surviving chicks were later named Sunny and Gizmo after fans submitted 54,000 names.
What happens after the chicks fledge?
Young eagles usually fledge (or leave the nest and fly) when they can flatten their wings and have feathers capable of flight. This usually occurs when the birds reach 10 to 14 weeks of age. Males also tend to take their first flight a little earlier than females.
According to FOBBV, Southern California chicks have been seen as far south as Baja California, as far north as British Columbia, and as far east as Yellowstone National Park.
About 70 percent of bald eagles survive the initial stage. The FOBBV does not tag its eagles, so it is not possible to follow the chicks’ journey after they flee the nest.
How can I help Jackie and Shadow?
FOBBV accepts donations to support its conservation efforts in the area. The organization recently reached its goal of raising $10 million to purchase land around Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains. A $5.5 million donation from Anna and Greg Brockman propelled the fundraising toward its goal before the deadline. Greg Brockman is co-founder and president of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. Before the Brockmans’ donation, more than 25,000 donations had raised nearly half of the funds needed.
You can help the rescue organization nurse Jackie back to health by donating to the Ojai Raptor Center’s Bald Eagle Recovery Campaign.
Disclosure: Ziff Davis, the parent company of Popular Science, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging that it infringed Ziff Davis’ copyrights by training and operating its AI systems.
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