It’s a heartbreaking day for bald eagle fans across Southern California. Jackie, the beloved Big Bear bald eagle who became an internet sensation alongside her longtime mate Shadow, has died.
The Ojai Raptor Center announced Monday that Jackie passed away in the early hours of August 10 after more than three weeks of intensive medical care. She had been receiving treatment after she was found injured and unable to fly near Big Bear Lake in July.
“Over the past several days, her condition continued to deteriorate despite intensive treatment and the combined efforts of our veterinary team and consulting specialists,” the Ojai Raptor Center said in a statement.
The wildlife rehabilitation center said Jackie remained critically ill in her final days, receiving oxygen therapy, supportive treatment and around-the-clock monitoring in its intensive care unit.
What happened to Jackie?
Jackie was rescued in mid-July after she was found on the ground near Big Bear Lake following an apparent altercation with other eagles. She was unable to fly and was eventually transported to the Ojai Raptor Center for specialized care.
Veterinarians discovered that Jackie was suffering from severe anemia and weight loss, among other health concerns. Despite extensive testing and treatment, her condition continued to worsen.
The center identified Jackie as Patient 26-519 throughout her treatment.
A team of nine veterinarians, along with representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, worked together to care for Jackie.
The exact cause of her illness has not yet been released. The center said it is working with state and federal wildlife officials and plans to issue a more comprehensive statement with additional information about Jackie’s treatments and test results.
Her remains have been transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Jackie became a beloved Big Bear icon
For years, Jackie was one of the most recognizable bald eagles in Southern California.
She became famous through the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, operated by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley. The livestream allowed hundreds of thousands of viewers to watch Jackie and Shadow in their nest in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Jackie hatched in the Big Bear Valley in 2012 and had been paired with Shadow since 2018. Together, the pair became a favorite among wildlife lovers around the world. Viewers tuned in to watch them raise their eaglets and navigate life in the wild.
The livestream community followed Jackie particularly closely during her recent health crisis. Plus, thousands of people shared messages of hope and support as she underwent treatment.
The Friends of Big Bear Valley team shared the news of Jackie’s death with a heartbreaking message asking people to be kind to themselves, one another and the teams who cared for her.
“Please be kind to yourself, to others, to the FOBBV team and to those at the Ojai Raptor Center,” the organization wrote.
“Soar free Jackie…”
The Ojai Raptor Center also expressed its gratitude to the countless people who followed Jackie’s story.
“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,” the center said.
“Our team is heartbroken. It has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her.”
For years, Jackie gave people around the world a rare glimpse into the life of a wild bald eagle. Her story brought together an enormous community of wildlife lovers. And her loss is being felt far beyond Big Bear Valley.
