I don’t have the words for this one. For more than three weeks, Jackie fought while an incredible team at Ojai Raptor Center fought alongside her. This morning, her body could fight no longer. I kept seeing her flying home to Big Bear and back to Shadow. I believed in her strength and resilience until the very end. Jackie wasn’t fragile. She was a fighter. She lived the life she was born into, raised her babies, defended her territory, loved her family, and captured the hearts of people around the world. My heart breaks for Shadow, for everyone who loves her, and for the team at Ojai who gave everything they had to try to bring her home. Fly home, beautiful girl. We’ll take care of your home and your family here. ❤️🦅 The official update from Ojai Raptor Center is below.. 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.

This one is hard. Let’s continue to see her flying home to Shadow. Keep holding her in love and light, believing in her strength and resilience. Come on, Jackie! You got this, girl! ❤️🦅 Here is the official update. An Update on Bald Eagle Patient 26-519 We wish we had better news to share today. Patient 26-519 remains in intensive care, receiving oxygen therapy, supportive treatment, and around-the-clock monitoring. Her blood values have declined again, with her packed cell volume (PCV) falling below 10%, and her condition remains critical. This week's contrast CT scan and bone marrow biopsy have provided important new information, while additional specialized testing remains pending. Our veterinary team continues to work closely with specialists across the country as we evaluate these findings and determine the next steps in her care. We know how deeply so many of you care about this eagle, and we're so grateful for your continued patience, compassion, and support. Every decision we make is guided first and foremost by her medical condition, her welfare, and what is truly in her best interest. We will continue to share meaningful updates as we learn more. Thank you for standing alongside us. https://youtu.be/zQFZCf1KKDE

Bumpy is growing up, and it has been so much fun watching his journey. Just a few months ago, he was a frightened little orphan. Today, he rules his own little kingdom with a pool of his own, endless swimming adventures, and a growing circle of friends. His favorite activities include underwater naps, floating on his back like an otter, and showing off his latest swimming moves whenever someone comes to visit. While hippos are naturally very different from elephants, Bumpy has already won over buffaloes, giraffes, and even little elephant Wangalla, who has decided he needs a little extra attention. Their sweet interactions are enough to melt your heart. It was also fascinating to learn that Kaluku is the perfect place for Bumpy to grow up, surrounded by wild hippos and an environment that will one day help prepare him for the life he was born to live. If you haven't met Bumpy yet, here is a video. Or take a few minutes to visit Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and follow his incredible journey and meet all his adorable friends and dedicated Keepers for yourself. I think you'll fall in love with him too. 🥰 https://youtu.be/OTL71VNSM5g?si=XZHMWcTyPxlIKs9y Have you ever considered adopting a hippo for someone you love?

We're playing a little game to help everyone level up! ❤️ What are some of your companion's nicknames? Tell us: 🐾 Their real name 🐾 Their nickname(s) 🐾 The funny story behind them Let's see who has the most creative nicknames! 😄 Feel free to give each companion their own comment. I'll start...

I'm excited to introduce a new member benefit beginning Friday, July 31! I have some wonderful members here who also have animal-related Skool communities, and I'd love for everyone to have the opportunity to discover the amazing work you're doing. Empowering Animals isn't a promotional community. It's a community for people who love animals and want to make a difference. I want to keep our feed focused on that mission. That's why the last Friday of every month will now be Free Friday for Level 5! If you've reached Level 5, you'll be invited to share your animal-related Skool community in the monthly Free Friday thread. If your community isn't directly about animals but has a clear animal connection, such as pet photography, animal art, video creation for animal lovers, or helping people make financial plans that include caring for their animals, you're welcome to share it too. Just keep it reasonably connected to animals, please. 😁 A few simple guidelines: 🐾 You must be Level 5 or higher. 🐾 Please share only your Skool community link. No links to websites, social media, or other platforms. 🐾To keep our community focused, promotional posts are only allowed in the monthly Free Friday thread. Posts shared elsewhere will be removed. 🐾 If you'd like to share an animal organization instead of your own Skool community, please DM me first so I can review it before it's posted. My hope is that, over time, this grows into a collaboration where animal-focused communities can support one another, learn from each other, and ultimately make an even bigger difference for the animals. ❤️ You have a whole month to reach Level 5! Share your companion, tell an animal story, ask questions, encourage others, and join the conversations. Before you know it, you'll be there.