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Jackie, the celebrity bald eagle whose daily life in a Jeffrey pine nest was watched by millions worldwide via the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream cameras, died at age 14 after a lengthy battle with anemia, according to the Ojai Raptor Center.
The Final Weeks and Medical Treatment
Jackie passed away in the early morning hours on Monday, August 10, following three weeks of intensive care. According to the Ojai Raptor Center, her condition continued to deteriorate over several days despite blood transfusions, oxygen therapy, supportive care, and around-the-clock monitoring by veterinary teams and consulting specialists. The center stated that every medical decision was guided by available evidence and her welfare. Before her hospitalization, a local wildlife observer captured footage of Jackie involved in an altercation with two juvenile eagles, though it remains unclear if she was already ill prior to that attack. Her remains were transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Conservation History and Internet Stardom
Born in 2012, Jackie was believed to be the first documented bald eagle hatched in Big Bear Valley, representing a milestone in the species’ recovery after decades of decline caused by habitat loss, hunting, and the pesticide DDT, according to the Friends of Big Bear Valley. A wildlife camera installed near her nest transformed her into an international internet star. Her popularity surged after she formed a pair bond with her mate, Shadow, in 2018. Together, the pair endured severe winter storms, predators, and nesting challenges while raising multiple eaglets over the years, including Spirit, Sunny, Gizmo, Luna, and Sandy.
Community Impact and Following the Loss
The Friends of Big Bear Valley shared the Ojai Raptor Center’s update on Facebook, prompting an outpouring of grief from followers around the globe. Following Jackie’s hospitalization and subsequent death, wildlife observers noted that Shadow has been spotted with another female eagle identified by the Orange County Water District as KD1, a female born in 2022 in the Prado Basin. Meanwhile, bird watchers reported that Jackie’s most recent eaglets, Luna and Sandy, have been unlocated for several weeks. Fish and Wildlife Service continue to coordinate on releasing further details regarding her treatments and test results.