Jackie the Famous Big Bear Bald Eagle Dies

Jackie, the celebrity bald eagle whose live-streamed life at a nest overlooking Big Bear Lake captivated a global audience for nearly a decade, has died at age 14 after undergoing treatment for a serious illness, according to the Ojai Raptor Center. The bald eagle’s death closes a chapter in California wildlife conservation, marking the end of a life that transformed an iconic species into an internet star followed by more than a million people across social media platforms operated by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley.

Medical Treatment and Decline at the Ojai Raptor Center

According to the Ojai Raptor Center, Jackie died in the early hours of Monday, Aug. 10, following more than three weeks of intensive medical treatment. Rescued in July after she was found grounded and unable to fly near Big Bear Lake, the bird was initially transported to San Dimas Raptor Rescue before arriving at the Ojai Raptor Center. Veterinarians diagnosed severe anemia, kidney inflammation, and other complications. Despite oxygen therapy, supportive care, and around-the-clock monitoring in the intensive care unit, her condition deteriorated.

Throughout her treatment, a collaborative medical team consisting of nine veterinarians, alongside representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, oversaw her care. According to the Ojai Raptor Center, she underwent advanced diagnostic testing, including a contrast CT scan and bone marrow biopsy. Her packed cell volume temporarily increased from below 6 percent up to 9 percent following a blood transfusion made possible by Spirit, a bald eagle at the California Living Museum in Bakersfield, but her overall condition remained extremely serious.

Rise to Global Prominence Through the Big Bear Nest Cam

Born in 2012, Jackie was believed by the Friends of Big Bear Valley to be the first documented bald eagle hatched in Big Bear Valley. Her life unfolded during a broader national comeback for the species following decades of population declines driven by habitat loss, hunting, and the pesticide DDT. A wildlife camera installed near a nest in a Jeffrey pine tree allowed viewers worldwide to watch her build nests, lay eggs, and raise eaglets.

Jackie’s public profile expanded significantly after she formed a pair bond with her longtime mate, Shadow, in 2018. The pair endured severe winter storms, raven attacks, and the loss of several eggs and eaglets while successfully raising multiple offspring over the years, including Stormy, Spirit, Sunny, Gizmo, Luna, and Sandy. Their resilience turned the Big Bear Valley livestream into one of the nation’s most popular wildlife cameras. Beyond online livestreams, Jackie and Shadow even appeared briefly on a Season 20 episode of the CBS television show “NCIS.”

Conservation Impact and Community Response

According to wildlife advocates, Jackie served as an ambassador for her species, helping educators teach students about bald eagle nesting behavior and inspiring local residents to advocate for habitat preservation projects around Big Bear Lake, including foraging ground protections. Following her death, the Ojai Raptor Center transferred her remains to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Friends of Big Bear Valley shared the center’s update on social media, encouraging supporters to be kind to one another and the wildlife care teams as they mourn.

Frequently Asked Questions