Jackie, the beloved Big Bear bald eagle followed by thousands of people around the world, has died.
The eagle passed away early Monday morning after a lengthy battle with anemia. Jackie had received intensive treatment at the Ojai Raptor Center after she was found in rough shape in the wilderness, having no physical injuries from the attack but suffering from severe anemia and inflammation affecting her kidneys.
Jackie and her nesting partner, Shadow, have captivated millions around the world through a live webcam pointed at their nest above Big Bear Lake, documenting the pair laying eggs, hatching eaglets and raising their young over the past seven years. The nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley operates the livestream, which has drawn hundreds of thousands of subscribers worldwide who tuned in for every nesting milestone.
Jackie is estimated to be about 14 years old, and experts believe she may already have been weakened at the time of the attack. Bald eagles typically live 15 to 28 years in the wild.
The Ojai Raptor Center shared its guiding principle during her treatment. “We wish we had better news to share. Every decision that we make continues to be guided by her medical condition, her welfare, and what is in her best interest,” Ojai Raptor Center said on Instagram.
Veterinarians working to rehabilitate Jackie shared a discouraging update Monday that cast doubt on when, or if, she will ever be released back into the wild. Her condition had deteriorated over several days despite intensive treatment.
She remained critically ill in the intensive care unit. Jackie was in intensive care, receiving oxygen therapy, supportive treatment, and around-the-clock monitoring, the center said.
Jackie received a life-saving blood transfusion from Spirit, a fellow bald eagle who lives at the CALM Zoo in Bakersfield. The transfusion initially showed promise, but her recovery proved short-lived.
Jackie’s blood values had declined again, with her packed cell volume (PCV) falling below 10%, and her condition remained critical. The multiple setbacks tested the resolve of her care team and her devoted global fanbase.
In the viral moment that started Jackie’s hospitalization, a video captured her being attacked by two other juvenile eagles. In mid-July, Jackie was attacked by two subadult bald eagles near Dana Point Park on the lake’s north shore. Experts believed she may already have been weakened at the time of the attack. The altercation left her unable to fly, and rescuers found her unable to fly and transported her to the Ojai Raptor Center, where vets found she had no physical injuries from the attack but was suffering from severe anemia and inflammation affecting her kidneys.
While Jackie battled her illness, life continued at the nest. Sandy and Luna appeared to have left the nest, a bittersweet milestone for any parents, but particularly emotional for fans because Jackie had been away from her offspring for several weeks. FOBBV said in a Wednesday update that the eaglets were last seen on the live camera July 23.