The death of Jackie, a bald eagle known for her widely livestreamed nest, has ignited a dispute among her online followers regarding the disposition of her remains. While some fans are petitioning to preserve her for educational or memorial purposes, federal regulations stipulate that her remains are designated for the National Eagle Repository, which provides eagle parts to federally recognized Native American tribes for religious and cultural practices.
Jackie died on August 10 after a battle with anemia, following three weeks in intensive care. Her nest in Big Bear, California, had been a constant source of fascination for millions of viewers who followed her life and her mate Shadow's activities through a live camera feed.
A Change.org petition, which has garnered over 1,200 signatures, calls for a pause in the process of sending Jackie's remains to the repository. Supporters of the petition express a desire to find a lawful way to keep Jackie in her mountain home for educational, scientific, or conservation purposes, or to create a memorial. One petition organizer, Sandra Sehl, suggested taxidermying Jackie and displaying her near a replica of her nest.
However, this campaign has faced opposition from other fans who argue that Jackie's popularity should not exempt her from federal protections. A Facebook post criticizing the petition, written by Sherri Griffin, gained over 14,000 likes, with commenters, including a self-identified Osage Indian, affirming that Native American tribes treat eagles with profound respect and that the remains would be cared for by generations.
The National Eagle Repository was established to fulfill the religious and cultural needs of Native American communities, a practice underscored by federal protections for bald eagles that date back to 1940. While rare exceptions have been made for scientific research, such as the study of a golden eagle's bones, raptor biologist Pete Bloom cautioned that granting special treatment to Jackie could set a difficult precedent. He noted that numerous other eagles have large online followings, potentially leading to similar demands each time a famous bird dies.
The Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit organization behind the eagle livestream, has indicated a hope that Jackie's remains could go to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, a tribe with historical ties to the Big Bear Valley area. The organization acknowledges, however, that the final decision rests with federal authorities. They are also discussing potential memorial plans with local agencies.
Jackie's death has been particularly difficult for her followers, as her nest had previously served as a unifying force. The Friends of Big Bear Valley has successfully raised more than $10 million to purchase and protect land around the eagles' habitat. Tensions, however, began to surface earlier in the summer when Jackie was rescued and taken to the Ojai Raptor Center, with some fans questioning the information provided by caretakers. After her death, speculation arose online with the appearance of a new bird with Shadow.
Wildlife experts suggest that the intense emotional attachment fans develop towards certain animals can contribute to such conflicts. Bloom commented, "People get too involved." Jenny Voisard, a spokesperson for Friends of Big Bear Valley, attributed some of the controversy to the amplification of outrage by social media algorithms rather than the organization's storytelling.