Jackie, the celebrity bald eagle whose life was broadcast to millions of viewers worldwide via a nest camera in Big Bear Valley, died Monday morning at age 14. She passed away at the Ojai Raptor Center in California after more than three weeks of intensive medical care for a serious illness, according to the center.
Rescue and Medical Struggle
Jackie’s health crisis began on July 17, when she was found grounded, lethargic, and underweight near Big Bear Lake. The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation’s San Dimas Raptor Rescue team recovered her following reports of an “altercation” with two subadult eagles. While the Ojai Raptor Center noted the fight likely left her grounded, her overall condition suggested she had been sick for some time.
Veterinarians diagnosed Jackie with severe anemia and kidney inflammation. Her treatment included oxygen therapy and supportive care guided by global wildlife professionals. On July 20, she received a “life-saving” blood transfusion from another eagle provided by the CALM Zoo. Despite these efforts, her condition remained unstable; her packed cell volume dropped to 13%, and later fell below 6% on Aug. 8 before briefly rising to 9% on Aug. 9.
A collaborative team of nine veterinarians worked round-the-clock to diagnose the cause of her anemia. On July 23, wildlife agencies confirmed that test results showed Jackie did not have lead poisoning, a frequent cause of death for bald eagles. Following her death, her remains were transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Rise to Global Fame
Believed to be the first documented bald eagle hatched in Big Bear Valley in 2012, Jackie was initially named Jack after a Forest Service volunteer before her gender was identified. Her parents, Ricky and Lucy, lived in the nest until approximately 2015. Jackie returned to the nest shortly after, an event animal experts noted as rare for eagle chicks.
Her life became a public sensation after the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) installed a solar-powered nest camera in 2015. The camera, positioned 120 feet above the forest floor, was funded by $10,000 raised over two years. Through the livestream, millions watched Jackie navigate the unpredictable realities of the wild, including raven attacks and severe winter storms. In 2024, she was observed sitting on her eggs for more than two and a half days straight during a winter storm.
Partnership and Legacy
Jackie’s popularity grew significantly after she formed a pair bond with her mate, Shadow, in 2018. The pair became symbols of resilience, successfully raising six chicks together: Simba (2019), Spirit (2022), Sunny and Gizmo, and most recently, Luna and Sandy in 2026.
Biologist Kelly Sorenson, executive director of the Ventana Wildlife Society, stated that the breeding of the Big Bear eagles is emblematic of the species’ broader comeback in California. Bald eagles had previously faced extinction due to hunting, habitat loss, and the pesticide DDT, but rebounded after the pesticide was banned in the 1970s.
In a statement regarding the loss of “Patient 26-519,” the Ojai Raptor Center said, Our team is heartbroken. It has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her.
Jackie’s Family Timeline
| Year | Event/Offspring |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Jackie hatched in Big Bear Valley |
| 2015 | FOBBV installed the nest camera |
| 2018 | Pair bond formed with mate, Shadow |
| 2019 | Raised Simba |
| 2022 | Raised Spirit |
| Recent Years | Raised Sunny and Gizmo |
| 2026 | Raised Luna and Sandy |
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