Iconic Big Bear bald eagle Jackie dies at 14 after illness
Jackie, the bald eagle whose nest was livestreamed from Big Bear Valley, died at age 14 following intensive treatment for a serious illness, the Ojai Raptor Center said.
Jackie, a bald eagle that became a widely watched wildlife attraction after a nest camera was installed near Big Bear Lake, died in the early hours of Aug. 10 at age 14. The Ojai Raptor Center reported that despite intensive care, including oxygen therapy and round-the-clock monitoring, her condition continued to deteriorate.
"Over the past several days, her condition continued to deteriorate despite intensive treatment and the combined efforts of our veterinary team and consulting specialists," the center said.
The center added that Jackie’s remains have been transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that operates the livestream, shared the news on its Facebook page, expressing condolences to supporters and staff at the raptor center.
Jackie, born in 2012, was believed to be the first documented bald eagle hatched in the Big Bear Valley area, emerging during a broader recovery of the species in California. Her life was broadcast from a camera mounted on a Jeffrey pine, allowing viewers worldwide to watch her build a nest, court a mate named Shadow, and raise several broods of eaglets, including the last pair, Luna and Sandy, in 2026.
The eagle’s disappearance in the summer of 2026 prompted a rescue effort; she was found grounded, treated for severe anemia and kidney inflammation, and later moved to the Ojai Raptor Center. Throughout her decade-long presence, Jackie became a focal point for education and conservation outreach, with teachers, retirees and families citing the livestream as a way to learn about bald eagle biology and local habitat protection.
Jackie is survived by her mate Shadow and multiple offspring that have since dispersed into the wild.