BIG BEAR LAKE — A bald eagle identified as Jackie was rescued near Dana Point Park on the northwest side of Big Bear Lake. The eagle is undergoing treatment for anemia, kidney inflammation, and low body weight at the Ojai Raptor Center following an altercation with two subadult eagles.

The San Dimas Raptor Rescue team, part of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, executed the rescue at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Saturday. Personnel made a more-than-two-hour trip to Big Bear to retrieve the bird after it had been observed on the ground earlier in the week. San Bernardino County Fire Department personnel from Fire Station 96 monitored the eagle prior to the arrival of the rescue team, which captured the bird in approximately five minutes.

Cellphone video captured the events leading to the rescue, showing the adult eagle defending itself against two subadults. The footage showed the adult turning over and using its talons to fend off the attackers, but the bird was unable to fly away after the confrontation. Friends of Big Bear Valley Media Manager Jennifer Voisard stated the altercation occurred on Friday. "Cell phone video confirmed that the adult was able to fend off the other eagles by turning over and using its talons, but was unable to fly away," according to the organization.

Voisard explained that subadult eagles often attempt to steal fish and take territory. "The two subadults came, and there was an altercation, a brief altercation, on the ground where they tried to attack Jackie," he said. "Jackie was able to defend them and fend them off with her talons, but she was unable to fly away and so she stayed around in that area." The altercation left the eagle grounded and vulnerable near the park.

At the time of rescue, officials stated the eagle's identity and sex had not been definitively confirmed. "We do not know for sure who the eagle is and we do not have confirmation of its sex," Los Angeles County Parks officials said. Jackie is not banded, so confirmation of identity relies on observation and video rather than definitive tagging.

Friends of Big Bear Valley stated the rescued eagle is believed to be Jackie based on recently released photos. "Based on recently released photos from the rescue we believe it could be our Jackie," the group said.

Upon arrival at the facility, staff assessed the bird's physical condition. The Ojai Raptor Center is licensed to care for bald eagles, which are a federally protected species. "The eagle arrived lethargic and underweight, but has no signs of physical trauma," said Eliza Cameron of the Ojai Raptor Center.

Kristine Koh of the San Dimas Raptor Rescue described the bird's state at pickup. "She was very weak. Her feather condition was very disheveled, and she's very underweight," Koh said. An unnamed San Dimas Raptor Rescue official added, "The adult eagle that we picked up was sick, very sick." The official noted that while there were no obvious fractures, the bird was very skinny.

Medical evaluations revealed specific health issues affecting the eagle. Jackie is anemic and has inflammation affecting her kidneys. X-rays performed on Jackie showed no fishing hooks, sinkers, or other metal objects.

The Ojai Raptor Center is waiting on test results for lead, zinc, and rodenticide levels. "We are still working to determine the underlying cause and additional bloodwork and diagnostic test results are pending," officials stated. Despite the severity of the condition, the eagle is alert and is standing and perching.

Staff reported that Jackie is eating well with assistance and is also picking up food on her own. "We loved hearing that Jackie has more energy this morning," Friends of Big Bear Valley said in a statement. The group noted the bird's combative spirit during treatment.

"She is mad and fighting the staff... That's our Jackie, a strong and mighty eagle!" the organization said. However, officials cautioned that the situation remains serious. "Her condition remains critical, and this is still a very serious case," Friends of Big he said.

Jackie's mate, Shadow, remains at the nest site. Shadow is maintaining the nest and defending it, and recently delivered six fish to the area. Jackie and Shadow have two eaglets named Luna and Sandy, who hatched in the first week of April.

Luna and Sandy are old enough to fly and fend for themselves. The pair took possession of the nest in 2016. Friends of Big Bear he stated the area is an ecological corridor supporting rare and endangered plants, flying squirrels, migrating birds, waterfowl, and fish. The proposed Moon Camp development is adjacent to the eagle habitat and less than a mile from the nest.

Bald eagles are a federally protected species, and there are more than 70,000 bald eagle nesting pairs in the U.S. However, exposure to environmental toxins remains a concern for raptors. About 50% of bald eagles and golden eagles test positive for exposure to lead, and about 89% of eagles test positive for rodenticides. Lead ammunition is banned from hunting in California, but other sources of contamination persist.

Bald eagle rehabilitation permits are issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ensuring that facilities like the Ojai Raptor Center operate under federal oversight. Los Angeles County Parks officials asked the public to refrain from contacting San Dimas Raptor Rescue for updates to allow staff to focus on care. "There is a lot of misinformation and speculation online right now and we will provide the facts as we obtain them," officials said.