Internet-famous bald eagle Jackie dies after illness
Jackie, the bald eagle known for a live-nest camera near Big Bear Lake, died Monday after weeks of treatment for anemia and other ailments.
Jackie, a bald eagle that attracted a global online audience through a nest-camera near Big Bear Lake in California's San Bernardino Mountains, died on Monday following three weeks of veterinary care. The bird was found on July 17 after reports of a fight with other eagles and was subsequently treated at the Ojai Raptor Center for anemia, receiving a blood transfusion and oxygen therapy, but her condition deteriorated.
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation’s San Dimas Raptor Rescue team discovered her, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is now handling the remains.
"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 Ojai Raptor Center said in a statement.
"You want to see a success story like that. Having access to a live cam to see the nesting first hand is very powerful. It brings people in on an emotional level," said Kelly Sorenson, executive director of the Ventana Wildlife Society.
Jackie's breeding activities, documented since a nest camera was installed by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley in 2015, had become a symbol of the bald eagle’s recovery in California after the species rebounded from near-extinction following the DDT ban and other protections.