BIG BEAR LAKE — Jackie, a bald eagle, died on Monday morning after receiving weeks of veterinary treatment. The Ojai Raptor Center, a wildlife rehabilitation organization, cared for the bird for approximately three weeks prior to her death on August 5, 2024.

The center identified the eagle as Patient 26-519 during her stay. Jackie was found grounded on July 17 following a territorial fight with two younger eagles. The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation's San Dimas Raptor Rescue team rescued Jackie and transferred her to the Ojai Raptor Center.

Veterinarians stated that Jackie was likely ill before the encounter with other eagles. During her treatment, she suffered from anemia and weight loss. Medical staff also discovered she was suffering from kidney inflammation in addition to the anemia. Her packed cell volume (PCV) fell below 6% on Saturday before rising to 9% on Sunday, while her ideal PCV would be above 30%.

Jackie received oxygen therapy, supportive care, and around-the-clock monitoring in the intensive care unit. She underwent a blood transfusion during her treatment. On July 29, she was briefly moved out of the intensive care unit but returned due to a deteriorating condition.

Extensive testing ruled out lead poisoning, cancer, and metal objects such as fishing hooks as causes of her condition. She received treatment for rodenticide toxicity, although caregivers do not believe it is the primary cause of her illness.

"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 Ojai Raptor Center said in a statement. "She remained critically ill, receiving oxygen therapy, supportive treatment, and around-the-clock monitoring in our intensive care unit." The care team included nine veterinarians along with representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

"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," the center said. "Our team is heartbroken. It has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her." The organization acknowledged the public attention surrounding the case. "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 center said.

Jackie's remains were transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Ojai Raptor Center is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide additional information on treatments and test results. The center turned off comments on its social media posts to protect staff and community.

Jackie hatched in the spring of 2012. The Friends of Big Bear Valley estimated that she lived about 14 years. Her nest was located in a Jeffrey pine tree near Big Bear Lake, more than 7,000 feet above sea level. The Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam is operated by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley, which installed the camera in 2015.

Jackie and her partner Shadow had been mates since 2018. They shared eight eaglets during their time together. The pair raised eaglets named Simba, Spirit, Sunny, Gizmo, Luna, and Sandy.

The names of the eaglets were chosen by students at Big Bear Elementary School. Sandy was named after Sandy Steers, the late executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley who helped launch the livestream cameras. Luna and Sandy hatched in April 2024 and have since fledged.

"Please be kind to yourself, to others, to the FOBBV team and to those at the Ojai Raptor Center. Soar free Jackie," Friends of Big Bear Valley said in a post.

The death of Jackie reflects the collaborative efforts between local rehabilitation centers and federal and state agencies in managing wildlife health. The involvement of nine veterinarians and representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reflects the complexity of treating protected species. The transfer of remains to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife ensures proper handling and potential further study.

Jackie's case drew global attention through the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, which has broadcast her life since 2015. The public engagement with her story, including the naming of her eaglets by local students, demonstrates the connection between wildlife conservation and community involvement. The ongoing work to provide additional information on treatments and test results aims to contribute to broader understanding of raptor health issues.

Why It Matters

Jackie's death illustrates the limits of veterinary intervention even when multiple agencies collaborate on intensive care for a protected species. The case involved nine veterinarians, state and federal wildlife officials, and extensive medical procedures including blood transfusions and around-the-clock monitoring. Despite ruling out lead poisoning and cancer, the underlying illness proved fatal, illustrating that prior health conditions can compromise survival even after rescue from immediate threats like territorial fights.