OJAI, Calif. (KFSN/KABC/KMJ) — Big Bear’s beloved bald eagle Jackie, who had been receiving more than three weeks of intensive medical care for a prolonged illness, has died.
Jackie had been at the Big Bear nest for at least 15 years and had stolen hearts worldwide every year since the Big Bear eagle cam was installed in 2015.
The Ojai Raptor Center said Jackie died early Monday morning, adding that her condition continued to deteriorate over the past several days despite all the treatment she was receiving.
“She remained critically ill, receiving oxygen therapy, supportive treatment, and around-the-clock monitoring in our intensive care unit,” the center said in an Instagram post. “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.”
Jackie’s remains have been transferred into the care of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
“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. Our team is heartbroken. It has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her,” the center added.
Jackie was spotted on the ground in a fight with two subadult eagles more than three weeks ago. She had trouble fending them off and appeared lethargic on the north shore of Big Bear Lake in Fawnskin.
The San Dimas Raptor Rescue Team responded to the area and rescued her, and from there, Jackie was taken to the Ojai Raptor Center for treatment.
Experts said Jackie was anemic with inflammation affecting her kidneys. She previously received a life-saving blood transfusion from a fellow female eagle named Spirit, a resident at CALM Zoo in Bakersfield.
From there, things were up and down for Jackie as veterinarians worked to figure out the cause of her anemia. She spent most of her time at the Ojai Raptor Center in the intensive care unit, receiving oxygen therapy.
Jackie’s health took a turn for the worse over the weekend. On Sunday, the vet team treating Jackie described her condition as “unstable” and “extremely serious.”
Her packed cell volume (PCV), which measures the percentage of red blood cells in the bloodstream, had fallen to dangerously low levels.
Jackie stole the hearts of people from around the world, with millions of fans who would follow updates on the beloved bald eagle and her partner, Shadow, in their Big Bear nest. The bald eagle pair and their eaglets from seasons past became internet sensations thanks to the live nest camera operated by Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV).
Earlier this year, the Big Bear nest was a source of excitement as Jackie and Shadow laid eggs. Fans from around the world watched live as they cared for this season’s eaglets, Sandy and Luna. FOBBV says the eaglets haven’t been seen on the cameras since July 23, and it’s possible they’ve left the Big Bear area for good to start their own journeys.
Shadow hasn’t been seen much around the nest either, but FOBBV describes this time before mating season as a “vacation” for the eagle, meaning it is normal for Shadow to not be seen around and in the nest.
He was spotted, however, perching in a nearby tree last Thursday, according to FOBBV.
Now that Jackie’s gone, what happens next in the Big Bear nest is unclear.
Full timeline of Jackie’s rescue and treatment
July 12
- Friends of Big Bear Valley says Jackie was seen on the bald eagle nest camera and “seemed to be quite hungry.” The nonprofit notes that she hadn’t been seen around the nest much since July 4th fireworks.
July 17
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- Witnesses spot an eagle in a fight with two subadult eagles near Big Bear Lake. At the time, wildlife experts weren’t sure if it was Jackie.
- A couple finds Jackie weak and unable to fly near the lake. They call for help and stay near her until a team arrives to rescue her.
July 18
- The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation’s San Dimas Raptor Rescue team arrives at Big Bear Lake early in the morning to rescue Jackie and take her to the Ojai Raptor Center for treatment.
July 19
- Friends of Big Bear Valley says it believes the eagle rescued and taken to Ojai for treatment is, in fact, Jackie.
July 20
- The Ojai Raptor Center shares that a full medical assessment is underway on Jackie and says she is receiving “outstanding veterinary care from our team.”
July 21
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- The veterinary care team reveals that Jackie is “experiencing severe anemia and inflammation affecting the kidneys.” Jackie being anemic means the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the tissues.
- The Ojai Raptor Center notes that her condition remains critical.
July 23
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- The Ojai Raptor Center shares that Jackie received a life-saving blood transfusion from Spirit, a fellow bald eagle who lives at the CALM Zoo in Bakersfield.
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- They also share that Jackie underwent advanced CT imaging, helping the team rule out “lead toxicosis and the presence of foreign items such as fishing hooks, lines, and weights.”
- They also note that her kidney inflammation has improved, though she remains in the intensive care unit.
July 25
- Jackie experiences a setback when her blood values decline again following her transfusion.
July 27
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- The Ojai Raptor Center shares a positive update that Jackie is showing encouraging improvement following her blood transfusion and weekend setback. Video shared by the team shows Jackie eating with and without assistance, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at her blood transfusion.
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- The team notes that Jackie’s packed cell volume (PCV), which measures the percentage of red blood cells in her bloodstream, has increased from 8% to 16%
- The Ojai Raptor Center notes that despite testing, a definitive diagnosis is still not determined.
July 29
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- The Ojai Raptor Center shares another positive update, this time saying Jackie has been moved out of the intensive care unit, where she required oxygen therapy, and into a regular hospital care unit.
- They note that although it is an encouraging sign, it does not mean she is out of danger.
July 31
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- The vet teams share that Jackie’s bloodwork continues to show anemia, although her PCV has improved to 17%.
- They note that she is still a very sick patient and “has a long recovery road ahead.”
Aug. 1
- Jackie officially hits two weeks in the care of the Ojai Raptor Center.
Aug. 3
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- The Ojai Raptor Center shares that Jackie’s PCV had dropped down to 13%, which means her anemia has worsened.
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- The team says advanced diagnostic testing is underway and expedited laboratory testing has been requested.
- Video shared by the team shows Jackie having her blood drawn.
Aug. 5
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- Vet teams share that Jackie underwent a contrast CT scan and a bone marrow biopsy. They said she recovered well from the anesthesia and was moved back to her recovery enclosure, receiving supplemental oxygen.
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- The Ojai Raptor Center says its team is reviewing the findings of the scans, as well as her previous test results.
- Photos shared on social media show the process of Jackie’s CT scan and biopsy.
Aug. 7
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- The Ojai Raptor Center shares that Jackie has been moved back to the intensive care unit, receiving oxygen therapy and around-the-clock monitoring.
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- The vet team says her PCV fell below 10% overnight, meaning her anemia worsened and she remains in critical condition.
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- The team says the contrast CT scan and bone marrow biopsy have provided “important new information,” but more specific details are not shared.
- Despite the “new information,” the team says it still does not have a complete understanding of Jackie’s worsening condition, and says further heavy metal testing has been ordered.
Aug. 9
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- The Ojai Raptor Center shares that Jackie remains critically ill and describes her condition as “unstable.”
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- The team says her PCV fell below 6% on Saturday and, though it rose to 9% on Sunday, the level remains critically low.
- The team says Jackie’s overall condition remains “extremely serious.”
Aug. 10
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- With “profound sadness,” the Ojai Raptor Center shares that Jackie passed away early Monday morning after her condition continued to deteriorate despite intensive treatment.
- The team says Jackie’s remains have been transferred into the care of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
