Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle dies after weeks-long illness

animalsAug 11, 202617696

Jackie, the 14-year-old bald eagle famous for the nonstop livestream of her Big Bear Lake nest, died Monday morning at an Ojai rehabilitation center after a weeks-long battle with a mysterious illness. Rescuers found Jackie in mid-July weak, disheveled and unable to fly after a scuffle with two younger eagles; Ojai Raptor Center executive director Chris Eksteen said the fight likely left her grounded but did not cause her symptoms. Veterinarians treated Jackie with a blood transfusion and intensive care, ran a contrast CT scan and a bone marrow biopsy, and monitored packed cell volume as it rose and fell; her packed cell volume fell to 13 percent on August 3, dipped below 6 percent on Saturday, and briefly rebounded to 9 percent. Despite oxygen therapy and round-the-clock ICU care, specialists could not determine the cause of her severe anemia and her condition deteriorated. The center transferred Jackie’s remains to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and said it is working with that agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and will provide further information about tests and treatment. Jackie and her mate Shadow had formed in 2018 and delighted millions watching their nest in a Jeffrey pine; supporters praised her as an avian matriarch and credited her with inspiring conservation efforts.

Sen. Adam Schiff

@schiff.senate.gov

Devastated to learn of the passing of California’s pride, Jackie, earlier today. Any visitor to my office in the past year knows we proudly showed the livestream of Jackie’s nest showing alongside C-SPAN and national news. We join all of CA of mourning the passing of one of our most famous icons.

5647h ago

Be.6

Bless her heart🩷I’ve followed Jackie and Shadow’s journey for years. So very sad…

BonFire3

There is a deafening metaphor here 😞

🧝🏻‍♀️⚡️kimmie stardust⚡️🌳(The Dread Pirate kimmie🏴‍☠️) 🐦‍⬛2

Devastating loss. She was so loved.

K-Wullums1

Then join CO in laughing at the Darwin awards. It was almost me in rampart range. Rep rep www.denverpost.com/2026/08/10/c...

jutjutjoanney.bsky.social1

Such a bummer. Seems like yesterday we were watching her covered in snow, or being buffeted by winds, protecting her eggs...🦅

mb111.bsky.social1

Thank you for sharing Jackie with your constituents 🦅

Tom

@birdfan.bsky.social

When I first started photographing birds, I always wanted to get a bald eagle. This was my first photo "get" (in Illinois). Jackie & Shadow are a locally famous bald eagle couple in Southern California due to FOBBV nest cam that I followed. Mom, Jackie, just passed away after many days in ICU 😢 💔

On the far, far shore of a local pond in Northern Illinois, a bald eagle flies from right to left of frame. There are many lush, green trees as a backdrop for the soaring eagle. Above the treeline is a hazy gray, monochromatic sky. Then below, green and brown reeds can be seen standing at attention just below the tree line and they form the lower border of the photo. May Jackie, the Big Bear famous eagle mom, rest in peace.

316h ago

DiRebecca (Di)2

I grew up near the mississippi river when there were no bald eagles. Thankfully they’ve recovered & are now common along the river in that area. I get so excited when I see them here along our norcal coast. I was very sad to see that news today too. Here’s one I saw last week in Pt. Reyes.💜

Shiboof1

Crap, I read this morning she was still fighting. Very very 😔

Pia❤️1

Yes, back when I was confined at home during the pandemic, they were one of the few sources of joy for us. I still remember the first egg being laid on January 8, 2020, and the second one three days later. Those are such wonderful memories! By the way, you took some great photos

Marsha8of91

I've been following along with the rest of the world, so sorry for your loss. Hopefully Shadow will find another mate and continue to use that nest.

Rhonda 🌊

@silverarticfox.bsky.social

Wishing Jackie, the beloved Big Bear bald eagle a blessed journey to the land of beautiful souls.

265h ago

Dr. René MD 🇺🇸🩺

@drrenemd.bsky.social

I don't know if you remember Jackie, but I've spent many hours watching the live feeds, & it was really uplifting. She was awesome & was very protective as a mother. She is survived by her mate Shadow. This is really sad news 🥺😢💔. Soar high, Jackie 🦅❣️ www.desertsun.com/story/news/n...

116h ago

Kj1

I have visited Big Bear many times and followed Jackie and Shadow as well. Devastating loss to so many who came to love our Bald Eagle family.

Wowie K1

Same here. She will be sorely missed. Signed, an eaglet cheerleader.

Stardust 🌏🎬

@stardustbluepr.com

Jackie the bald eagle has died. The symbol of our nation. A sad irony. 🙏

82h ago

Miles W. Griffis

@mileswgriffis.bsky.social

RIP to our queen who lived above us in the mountains and raised eaglets for the whole world to see ❤️‍🔥 www.desertsun.com/story/news/n...

74h ago

Elseigh

@elseigh.bsky.social

It is a sad day for all who loved Jackie, the beautiful and fierce eagle from Big Bear who passed away. I found this pic of her with her mate Shadow. 😢🦅 #birds

A headline from the New York Times that says Jackie, arguably the world’s most famous bald eagle, dies after weeks of treatment.

77h ago

moth ♡

@pastelmothie.bsky.social

never thought i'd be crying over a bald eagle but here we are 😭

94h ago

Susan Owens

@susanowens.bsky.social

…how she raised awareness, won hearts & donations of more than $10 mill for her habitat. Thank you @joneshowdareyou.bsky.social for all yr news. The @NYT gives her a fine send off www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/u...

65h ago

CALI GIRL

@calidemocrat.bsky.social

youtube.com/watch?v=zZMH... RIP beloved Jackie 😭 Watch over Shadow and all the beautiful babies you had together. You and Shadow brought us so much joy over the years. Be safe, sweet darling. You were loved. 💔🙏🌈

53h ago

tatzanx

@tatzanx.bsky.social

Jackie the eagle is dead. Livestream sensation battled health issues www.usatoday.com/story/pets-a...

36h ago

Pip

@pip75.bsky.social

Absolutely gutted to hear Jackie the Bald Eagle of Big Bear has passed away. Ojai Raptor Center worked so hard the last three weeks to save her. She helped save Moon Camp, was a nurturing Mother to her eaglets, and great partner to Shadow. I loved watching her raise Sandy and Luna. 🦅♥️

37h ago

Becky J, 💙 💙 💙

@norcal208.bsky.social

Fly high, Jackie, the most beautiful bald eagle. I loved watching you, Shadow, and your new baby eagles hatch each season. You will never be forgotten RIP youtu.be/WEEkQADqBp4?...

32h ago

Laur Bagley

@laur-rants.bsky.social

One of my favorite moments on the nest was when Jackie brought a grebe for Spirit (Spirit was nearly a fledgling at this time) and the grebe was still alive and made a break for it. Jackie jumped from the nest and chased it... Eventually bringing it back. It was incredible.

Screenshot of the big bear bald eagle nest circa may 2022, as a large nestling Spirit watches her mother Jackie jump after a grebe that was brought to the nest still conscious and escaping.

47h ago

Carrie K

@emynarnon.bsky.social

I've watched Jackie and Shadow, too, and am saddened by her passing. Wishing all the best for those who cared for her. www.latimes.com/environment/...

33h ago

3 sources

cp24.comJackie, the California bald eagle who became an internet sensation, dies after illness usatoday.comThe Jackie Show: What we learned from America's beloved bald eagle latimes.comJackie, arguably the world's most famous bald eagle, dies after mysterious illness

Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle dies after weeks-long illnessanimals

Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle dies after weeks-long illness

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