Jackie, the beloved bald eagle that won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of wildlife fans across the globe, has passed away on Monday following multiple weeks of intensive veterinary care at California’s Ojai Raptor Center, a leading wildlife rehabilitation nonprofit.
The iconic raptor was brought to the center after sustaining injuries from a violent attack by other eagles. Clinicians soon discovered pre-existing underlying health conditions that had already triggered progressive anaemia and unhealthy weight loss, complicating her recovery process. In an official statement released after Jackie’s passing, representatives from the Ojai Raptor Center confirmed that even with round-the-clock, coordinated care from their in-house veterinary team and outside consulting specialists, the raptor’s health continued to decline steadily over the final days of her life.
Jackie rose to international fame through the wildly popular Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, a live streaming project operated by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley. Located in the scenic Big Bear Valley region of Southern California, the stream has built a massive, loyal global subscriber base that tuned in daily to watch Jackie and her long-time mate Shadow go about their lives. First hatching in the spring of 2012, Jackie established her nest in the valley and became a staple of the stream after she paired with Shadow in 2018.
Members of the rehabilitation team shared that they are devastated by the loss of the iconic bird, noting that caring for Jackie had been an extraordinary honor for everyone involved. “We know this news will be deeply felt by the many thousands of people around the world who have followed her journey, hoped alongside us, prayed for her, and supported the people caring for her,” the statement read.
The rehabilitation center is currently working in close partnership with federal and state wildlife agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, to conduct a full post-mortem review. A more detailed public statement, including full information on all treatment protocols and diagnostic test results, is planned for release in the coming days. Per current protocol, Jackie’s remains have already been transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for official examination.