Jackie, a Big Bear bald eagle who became an international favorite after a 2015 live nest camera began streaming her life, died on Aug. 10 after three weeks in intensive care at the Ojai Raptor Center. She was diagnosed with severe anemia and kidney inflammation and briefly improved after a blood transfusion from another eagle. Despite advanced treatment, her condition declined and her remains were sent to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for further study. The nest cam community and multiple wildlife organizations mourned her loss.
Beloved Big Bear Bald Eagle Jackie Dies After Three Weeks of Intensive Care
Photo Credit: Ojai Raptor Center
Jackie, a beloved bald eagle made famous by a live nest camera at Big Bear, California, has died after three weeks of intensive veterinary care at the Ojai Raptor Center. The bird — a local fixture for at least 15 years and an online favorite since the Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest camera went live in 2015 — passed away on Aug. 10 following a prolonged illness.
Wildlife responders found Jackie on the ground near Big Bear Lake after an apparent territorial encounter with two younger eagles. The San Dimas Raptor Rescue team, part of Los Angeles County Parks, transported her to care on July 18. Veterinarians at the Ojai Raptor Center diagnosed Jackie on July 21 with severe anemia and inflammation of the kidneys.
On July 23, Jackie received a blood transfusion from Spirit, a female bald eagle at CALM Zoo in Bakersfield, and showed temporary improvement. Despite advanced diagnostics and treatments — including CT imaging, oxygen therapy, extensive bloodwork and a bone marrow biopsy — Jackie’s packed cell volume fell again to critically low levels by Aug. 9.
“She remained critically ill, receiving oxygen therapy, supportive treatment, and around-the-clock monitoring in our intensive care unit,” the Ojai Raptor Center said, adding that decisions were guided by medical evidence and Jackie's welfare.
The Ojai Raptor Center announced Jackie’s death on Aug. 10. Her remains were transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for further examination, which may help specialists determine the cause of her prolonged illness and inform future care for other raptors.
Community Impact and Conservation Context
The Big Bear nest camera, installed by Friends of Big Bear Valley in 2015, turned Jackie and her mate Shadow — and their eaglets, Sandy and Luna — into fixtures for classrooms, families and wildlife enthusiasts around the world. While bald eagles are widely celebrated as a U.S. conservation success story, individual birds remain vulnerable to territorial conflict, disease and environmental stressors that can be difficult to detect in time for treatment.
Multiple organizations coordinated the rescue and care effort: Friends of Big Bear Valley monitored Jackie’s condition, the San Dimas Raptor Rescue team conducted the field rescue, and the Ojai Raptor Center provided round-the-clock intensive medical care. The coordinated response highlights both the strength of community engagement and the challenges wildlife professionals face when treating wild raptors.
As investigators analyze Jackie’s remains, wildlife specialists hope the findings will shed light on the underlying cause of her illness and guide future monitoring and treatment strategies for other birds in the region.
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