11.08.2026 12:00
Bald eagle Jackie, living in the United States, passed away at the age of 14 after a long illness. Despite the intensive efforts of veterinarians, her condition worsened and she died.
Jackie the Extraordinary Internet Star Bald Eagle Passes Away at 14 After 'Long Illness'
Jackie, the beloved bald eagle who captured the hearts of millions of nature lovers worldwide with her nest in the United States, passed away at the age of 14 after a long illness.
The legendary bird received intensive medical care for more than three weeks after being found weak and unable to fly near Big Bear Lake in California. The Ojai Raptor Center announced that despite the relentless efforts to save Jackie's life, her condition worsened and she died in the early hours of Monday.
In a statement from the center, 'Despite intensive treatment and the combined efforts of our veterinary team and consulting specialists, her condition continued to deteriorate over the past few days. While receiving oxygen therapy, supportive care, and 24-hour continuous monitoring in our intensive care unit, her condition remained critical,' it was stated.
Jackie was rescued more than three weeks ago after being spotted fluttering on the ground during a fight with two young eagles on the north shore of Big Bear Lake. The San Dimas Raptor Rescue Team intervened after the normally extremely powerful bird appeared exhausted and struggled to repel the other eagles.
Later transferred to the Ojai Raptor Center, examinations revealed that Jackie was suffering from severe anemia and inflammation affecting her kidneys.
Jackie even received a potentially life-saving blood transfusion from a female bald eagle named Spirit, residing at the CALM Zoo in Bakersfield.
However, her condition remained critical as experts tried to determine the cause behind the anemia. Over the weekend, her health deteriorated further, and veterinarians described her condition on Sunday as 'irregular' and 'extremely serious.'
Tests revealed that her hematocrit level, which indicates the proportion of red blood cells in her blood, had dropped to dangerously low levels.
The Raptor Center emphasized that every decision regarding Jackie's care was based on medical evidence and her well-being:
'Throughout her time at the Ojai Raptor Center, every decision was made in accordance with available medical evidence, her well-being, and our responsibility to do what was best for her.'
After announcing the news of her passing, the center added: 'We know this news will be deeply felt by the hundreds of thousands of people around the world who followed her journey, hoped with us, prayed for her, and supported the team caring for her. Our team is devastated. Caring for her was an extraordinary privilege.'
Jackie's remains were handed over to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The Friends of Big Bear Valley community, which operates the famous nest cameras that turned Jackie into an internet phenomenon, also shared an emotional tribute message:
'We carry deep sadness and a heavy heart as we share the final update from the Ojai Raptor Center with you. Please be kind to yourselves, to others, to our teams, and to those at the Ojai Raptor Center. Soar free, Jackie...'
The Birth of a Nature Icon
Jackie became a global nature star in 2015 thanks to cameras placed at the bald eagle nest high above Big Bear Lake.
Millions of viewers watched live as she braved relentless snowstorms, incubated eggs, and raised her chicks alongside her long-term mate Shadow.
The pair, who bonded in 2018, became fan favorites as viewers followed their triumphs and heartbreaks via live stream.
Over the years, they faced broken eggs, crow attacks, severe weather, and the deaths of some of their chicks; but each time, they returned to their famous nest.
Throughout her life, Jackie successfully raised multiple eaglets, including Spirit, Sunny, and Gizmo.
Earlier this year, she and Shadow raised Sandy and Luna, who began flying in late June. The young eagles have not been seen on cameras since July 23 and are believed to have left the Big Bear area to establish their own lives.
Shadow has also been seen only occasionally recently; however, Friends of Big Bear Valley stated that this is normal for this time of year. Shadow was last reported seen perched in a nearby tree last Thursday.
Jackie's own extraordinary story, however, began long before she became an internet celebrity.
Estimated to have hatched around 2011 or 2012, Jackie was believed to be the first bald eagle documented to have been born in Big Bear Valley.
Initially named 'Jack' after a senior volunteer involved in the Forest Service's eagle counts, her name was changed to 'Jackie' when experts discovered she was female.
Later, she astonished wildlife observers by returning to the nest where she was born, a behavior extremely rare among eagles.
Over time, Jackie became one of the most recognized bald eagles in the world, and the Friends of Big Bear Valley community reached over one million followers on social media.
Jackie and Shadow even made a surprise appearance on CBS's hit show NCIS, in a 2023 episode where characters watched the Big Bear eagle camera live.