Jackie, the female bald eagle who gained an international following through a livestreamed nest at Big Bear Lake, died while under care at the Ojai Raptor Center, the center announced. The raptor center said the bird, logged as patient 26-519, passed away after more than three weeks of intensive treatment.
Wildlife rescuers first took Jackie to the center after she was found weak on the north shore of Big Bear Lake following a ground skirmish with two subadult eagles. The Los Angeles County San Dimas Raptor Rescue team recovered the injured bird and transported her for rehabilitation, Friends of Big Bear Valley said after reviewing images and video of the rescued eagle.
Veterinarians treating Jackie said she suffered severe anemia and inflammation affecting the kidneys. She received a life saving blood transfusion from a fellow female bald eagle known as Spirit, a resident at the CALM Zoo in Bakersfield. Despite the transfusion and oxygen therapy, her packed cell volume fluctuated sharply, at times rising to the teens and later falling below critical thresholds reported by the treating team.
The Ojai Raptor Center conducted extensive diagnostics, including a contrast CT scan and a bone marrow biopsy, and ordered expedited lab work and heavy metal testing. The center said those tests provided important information but did not yield a definitive cause for her prolonged illness. Her remains were transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for further handling, the center added.
The Ojai Raptor Center wrote on its social media that every decision about her care "was guided by the available medical evidence, her welfare, and our responsibility to do what was in her best interest." The center thanked followers for their support and asked for patience as staff processed the loss.
Impact On The Nest And Conservation Efforts
Jackie and her mate Shadow had been staples of the Friends of Big Bear Valley livestream since the nonprofit added cameras to the nest. The pair raised multiple eaglets over their years together and drew a global audience that spurred conservation interest in the area.
The nonprofit said Jackie and Shadow's most recent two chicks, Sandy and Luna, fledged and were last seen on the cameras before Jackie went missing. Friends of Big Bear Valley said it is unclear whether Shadow will remain at the territory, find a new mate, or disperse, noting that a nearby subadult eagle had been observed around the nest.
The bird's illness and rescue coincided with a surge of attention that helped propel a successful campaign to protect roughly 63 acres near the nest from development. The fundraising drive reached and exceeded its goal after a large donation by OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and numerous smaller contributions, the nonprofit said. Advocates said the land will be stewarded by a land trust.
Fans and local conservationists reacted with sorrow and gratitude for Jackie's role in bringing attention to the recovery of bald eagles. The Ojai Raptor Center and Friends of Big Bear Valley said they will provide further details as cooperating agencies review test results and the circumstances surrounding her prolonged illness.
