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Jackie Fights for Life as New Rival Appears
28 Jul
Summary
- A new female bald eagle, nicknamed Jolene, is near Shadow's nest.
- Jackie is hospitalized in critical condition after a mysterious illness.
- Experts doubt Shadow will mate outside the current non-breeding season.
As Jackie, a beloved bald eagle from Big Bear Valley, California, remains in critical condition, a younger female, nicknamed Jolene, has been observed near her mate, Shadow. This subadult eagle, estimated to be around 3.5 years old, is believed by some to have been involved in the fight that immediately preceded Jackie's hospitalization. Jackie is currently receiving intensive treatment, including a life-saving blood transfusion, for an unknown illness.
Friends of Big Bear Valley, who have monitored the eagles via livestream since 2015, note that Shadow has exhibited some territorial behavior towards Jolene. However, with Jackie's offspring having recently left the nest, Shadow may become less territorial. Experts believe Shadow is unlikely to find a new mate this season, as it is outside the typical breeding period.
The pair, Jackie and Shadow, have a nearly decade-long history, raising eight eaglets and surviving previous challenges, including a past love triangle where Shadow replaced Jackie's first mate. Their strong bond suggests Shadow may wait for Jackie's recovery.
