Moon Camp Saved: $5.5M Brockman Gift Secures Jackie and Shadow’s Nest — But the Pair’s Future Is Uncertain

Friends of Big-Bear Valley (FOBBV), the volunteer group that installed a 24/7 livestream camera on the famous bald-eagle pair Jackie and Shadow, announced it has raised $10 million to purchase and protect a parcel of land known locally as Moon Camp. The campaign reached its goal after OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna Brockman, donated $5.5 million to close the gap.

Land Purchase Protects Habitat From Development

The newly secured property sits less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow’s nest and was long targeted by luxury and marina developers. FOBBV says the purchase — which builds on more than 25,000 smaller donations — will preserve important habitat for eagles and other local wildlife. Earlier this year, Sandy Steers, FOBBV’s former executive director, and the San Bernardino Mountain Land Trust negotiated a limited purchase agreement with RCK Properties, the landowner; Steers died in February after a battle with cancer.

Shadow and Eagle had become fan favorites on a viral and local level.

Jackie’s Recovery and a Complicated Reunion

Jackie, a mother of nine, is currently in critical condition at the Ojai Raptor Center. Rescuers report she may have been ill before a surprise attack near Big Bear Lake that left her with severe anemia and kidney inflammation. Two younger subadult eagles were involved in that confrontation, according to FOBBV.

Meanwhile, Shadow — Jackie’s long-time partner — was recently spotted spending time with another subadult female. FOBBV cautioned that the bird seen with Shadow could be one of the younger eagles involved in Jackie’s attack, a development that has worried the livestream’s many followers.

OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and his wife Anna Brockman donated $5.5 million to saving the homeland of Jackie and Shadow. Getty Images for Breakthrough Prize

“Greg and I are grateful to all those who championed saving the home of these majestic eagles, Jackie and Shadow,” Anna Brockman said in a statement posted on the FOBBV website.

Experts Urge Caution Before Drawing Conclusions

FOBBV also relayed expert commentary suggesting Shadow’s brief association with another bird doesn’t necessarily mean he has abandoned Jackie. The group noted the pair’s long-standing bond and said it would be unlikely for Shadow to permanently move on immediately, adding that hormonal cycles drive mating behavior.

Jenny Voisard, FOBBV’s media manager, told Popular Science, “We are beyond grateful for the tireless support of so many people these past six months. This is a special community that has a real love for Jackie and Shadow’s wellbeing along with nature.”

Jackie is believed to have been ill before the skirmish that landed her in the Ojai Raptor Center for recuperation. Ojai Raptor Center

What Comes Next

The purchase of Moon Camp secures the land from development and gives wildlife advocates time to plan long-term protections for the area. Supporters hope Jackie will recover so the pair might resume the partnership that captured so many hearts via the livestream. In the short term, rescue teams at Ojai continue treating Jackie for anemia and kidney inflammation while monitoring her progress.

Key facts: FOBBV set up a 24/7 cam on Jackie and Shadow; the campaign raised $10 million total; the Brockmans contributed $5.5 million; Moon Camp sits under a mile from the nest and had been eyed for luxury development; Jackie is under care at Ojai Raptor Center after an attack; Shadow was seen with a subadult female; Sandy Steers helped negotiate an agreement with the landowner before her death.