Jackie, a bald eagle who gained international recognition through a live webcam stream from Big Bear Valley, California, has died at the age of 14 following an extended illness. The Ojai Raptor Center confirmed her death on Monday afternoon in an Instagram post.
According to the center, Jackie's condition worsened over several days despite intensive veterinary care and the involvement of consulting specialists. She had been critically ill and received oxygen therapy, supportive treatment, and continuous monitoring in the center's intensive care unit. Her remains have been transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Known as “arguably the world’s most famous bald eagle” by the Los Angeles Times, Jackie is believed to have hatched around 2012. Her widespread popularity began in 2015 when Friends of Big Bear Valley, an environmental nonprofit, set up a webcam near her nest. She shared the nest with a male eagle known as Mr. B, and later with a second male, Shadow, who appeared in 2018 after Mr. B departed.
Over the years, Jackie and Shadow successfully raised numerous eaglet chicks, with the two youngest fledging this past summer. However, Jackie was found grounded near Big Bear Lake on July 17. Friends of Big Bear Valley indicated an "altercation" with two subadult eagles preceded her discovery. Subsequent examination by Ojai Raptor Center staff revealed underlying health issues, including severe anemia and inflammation affecting her kidneys.
Jackie received a blood transfusion on July 20, which initially appeared to improve her condition. However, her health declined, and by Sunday, veterinarians described her status as unstable and extremely serious. The Ojai Raptor Center expressed heartbreak over the loss, acknowledging the profound impact Jackie's journey had on thousands of followers worldwide who had supported her care and offered well wishes.