08/10/2026
Sad news from our friends at the Ojai Raptor Center in California. We’re sorry for their loss & the loss of this beautiful eagle. Rehabilitating wildlife can be challenging and heartbreaking — sometimes more so with high-profile patients. ♥️💔
Patient Update: Bald Eagle 26-519
It is with profound sadness that we share that Patient 26-519 passed away in the early hours of this morning, following more than three weeks of intensive medical care.
Over the past several days, her condition continued to deteriorate despite intensive treatment and the combined efforts of our veterinary team and consulting specialists. She remained critically ill, receiving oxygen therapy, supportive treatment, and around-the-clock monitoring in our intensive care unit.
Throughout her time at Ojai Raptor Center, every decision was guided by the available medical evidence, her welfare, and our responsibility to do what was in her best interest.
Her remains have been transferred into the care of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
We know this news will be deeply felt by the many thousands of people around the world who have followed her journey, hoped alongside us, prayed for her, and supported the people caring for her.
Our team is heartbroken. It has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her.
We ask for patience and kindness as our staff process this loss. We are working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and will provide a more comprehensive statement including additional information on her treatments and test results.
To protect our staff and community during this difficult time, comments on this post have been turned off.
To everyone who cared about Patient 26-519, thank you. Thank you for your messages, your prayers, your encouragement, and for standing beside our team throughout these past weeks. We are deeply grateful for the way Patient 26-519 brought people together through a shared love of wildlife.
