Unbeknownst to her, a bald eagle in Big Bear, California, captured the hearts of millions of people around the world and taught them about perseverance, conservation, and the perfect stick placement in nests.
Sadly, despite the best efforts of the rehabilitation facility Ojai Raptor Center, Jackie the bald eagle died early Monday morning.
As fans mourn this unspeakable loss, it is comforting to look back on her history and consider the lasting legacy she leaves behind.
The life of Jackie
The nonprofit Friends of the Big Bear Valley was founded in 2001 by residents who wanted to preserve the natural habitats of the mountains. The group’s advocacy and conservation work would get a global platform because of the curiosity of its executive director, Sandy Steers.
Around 2009, a pair of bald eagles named Lucy and Ricky decided to make Big Bear their home.
Their chick was the first known bald eagle to hatch in the area, as previous birds just passed through. The little fluff was first named Jack, but as it grew up and was larger than expected, it became clear that it was a female. Its moniker changed to Jackie.
Jackie’s parents laid several other eggs, but some of the chicks either never hatched or died due to harsh winter conditions.
Steers wanted a better view of the nest and started planning for a camera that could live stream its inner workings. After lots of hard work and fundraising, her wish was granted in 2015.
Lucy and Ricky gave up on the on-camera nest, as it is common for bald eagles to make many homes. Fortunately in 2017, Jackie and her first mate, Mr. B, moved in.
In the summer of 2018, a new male eagle started giving Jackie attention.
At first the nonprofit thought it was Jackie’s sibling, but that was disproven. The name Shadow stuck.
In an unusual move for the species, after a nonviolent showdown with Shadow, Mr. B gave up and Jackie had a new man. The pair would go on to raise several chicks into fledglings and remain together until her final rescue.
Bald eagle influencers
Jackie, Shadow, and their offspring became internet sensations.
The internet follower count of Friends of the Big Bear Valley illustrates their popularity. With around 820,000 YouTube subscribers, around 158,000 Instagram followers, and 503,100 members in an official private Facebook group, the eagles have multiple social media corners covered.
Their reach can also be seen in the range of merchandise being sold on Amazon and Etsy featuring their image.
There are T-shirts, coffee mugs, tote bags, and more. Classrooms around the world used Jackie and Shadow as real-world examples of larger conservation and biology lessons.
Jackie’s last days
On Friday, July 17, concerned citizens noticed Jackie was grounded, worked hard to find her help, and stayed with her until she was safe.
As Fast Company previously reported, she had gotten in several altercations with visiting bald eagles but was sick even before the fights.
Early the following morning, the San Dimas Raptor Rescue team of Los Angeles County saved the day. Jackie was transferred to the Ojai Raptor Center, where she was given around-the-clock care.
It was there she was diagnosed with severe anemia and inflammation of the kidneys.
As of publication, the underlying cause of these conditions has not been released by the center. It is uncertain if it was ever determined. She seemed to improve around July 31 but things took a turn for the worse last weekend.
Jackie passed away in the early morning of Monday, August 10.
Jackie’s legacy
Jackie won the hearts of many by simply being herself. She was feisty, vocal, and not afraid to go her own way. She selflessly braved blizzards, rainstorms, and raven attacks to raise her young alongside Shadow.
Even her neighbor Fiona, a San Bernardino flying squirrel, knew not to mess with Jackie.
Jackie paved the way for other bald eagles to call Big Bear home. Fans of this remarkable bird banded together to save Moon Camp, 63 acres of land near her nest, from developers.
Steers helped negotiate the purchase agreement right before she died in February of this year.
Friends of the Big Bear Valley announced that funding came through on July 24 thanks to 25,000 small transactions and a $5.5 million donation from Anna and Greg Brockman. (Greg Brockman is president and cofounder of OpenAI).
Jackie’s permanent absence from the live cams is a harsh reality. For fans, never seeing her and Shadow together again is almost too much to process.
Jackie’s fans can still make a difference
Jenny Voisard, media manager for the Big Bear Valley nonprofit, shared with Fast Company her organization’s heartbreak and call to action. They held out hope to the end.
“People should continue to care about birds and their habitats,” Voisard says. “It is important to save space for them.”
She added, “We are grateful to have been able to watch and learn from Jackie all of these years. She was an amazing bald eagle. We hope that Shadow is able to thrive and live his best life. We love him so much. Our hearts are with our eagle community.”
While Jackie’s earthly story has concluded, her legacy lives on.
Grieve, but stay engaged in conservation, her supporters say. Learn all you can about bald eagles and also the larger ecosystem they help support as a keystone species.
Organizations such as Friends of the Big Bear Valley and the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust always need volunteers or financial donations. The same goes for the Ojai Raptor Center, a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation facility that specializes in birds of prey.
During Jackie’s time at the center, it cared for 91 other patients that didn’t have her internet fame. Fans who want to honor Jackie can do so by supporting this nonprofit.