Jackie, a celebrity bald eagle whose daily life in Big Bear Valley captivated millions of online viewers, died early Monday morning after a lengthy battle with severe anemia and underlying health issues, according to nypost.com. She was approximately 14 years old.
Death of Internet-Famous Bald Eagle Jackie
The beloved raptor passed away in the intensive care unit at the bbc.co.uk, a wildlife rehabilitation organization in California where she had been receiving intensive medical care for over three weeks. According to USA Today, the center reported that she passed away as Patient 26-519 following rigorous treatment.
Medical Struggles and Intensive Treatment
Jackie’s health crisis began after she was rescued following an apparent altercation with two subadult or juvenile eagles. A video captured by a local wildlife observer showed her being attacked by two other juvenile eagles shortly before her initial hospitalization, though it remains unclear if she was already ill prior to the incident. Rescued in rough shape in the wilderness, she was admitted to the Ojai Raptor Center suffering from weight loss and underlying health issues that caused severe anemia.
During her weeks in the ICU, Jackie underwent round-the-clock monitoring, oxygen therapy, and supportive care. On July 20, she received a life-saving blood transfusion from another eagle. Wildlife agencies confirmed on July 23 that test results showed she did not suffer from lead poisoning, which is a common killer among bald eagles and other birds.
Despite the efforts of a collaborative team that included nine veterinarians and consulting specialists from around the world, her condition continued to deteriorate over several days. Her packed cell volume had dropped to critical levels, falling below 6% on August 8 before rising slightly to 9% on August 9. In a statement, the Ojai Raptor Center expressed heartbreak, stating, Throughout her time at Ojai Raptor Center, every decision was guided by the available medical evidence, her welfare, and our responsibility to do what was in her best interest.
Global Following and Legacy
Jackie first hatched in the spring of 2012 as the first eaglet born in Big Bear Valley that year. She lived in relative obscurity until the installation of a solar-powered webcam sitting 120 feet off the forest floor, managed by the nonprofit wildlife organization Friends of Big Bear Valley. The Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam amassed hundreds of thousands of subscribers and a loyal global following who watched her everyday life.
Since 2018, Jackie and her longtime mate, Shadow, had been bonded mates. The nonprofit estimated that she mothered several eaglets with Shadow over the years, including Simba, Spirit, Sunny, Gizmo, and her two most recently hatched eaglets, Luna and Sandy. Following Jackie’s hospitalization, bird watchers noted that Shadow had been spotted with another female eagle identified by the Orange County Water District as KD1—a female born in 2022 in the Prado Basin over 100 miles away—while Luna and Sandy had not been located in several weeks.
Transfer of Remains and Investigation
Following her death, Jackie’s remains were transferred into the care of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Ojai Raptor Center announced that it is working closely with both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide a more comprehensive statement detailing her treatments and test results.
The Friends of Big Bear Valley mourned her loss in a social media post, encouraging the eagle’s devoted fans to be kind to themselves, each other, the nonprofit’s team, and the staff at the Ojai Raptor Center. Soar free Jackie,
the center said.
