BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Tributes and condolences are pouring in for Jackie, the beloved Big Bear bald eagle whose death was announced Monday after more than three weeks of intensive medical care at the Ojai Raptor Center.
Government agencies involved in Jackie’s rescue and care, local organizations and members of the public joined together Monday, Aug. 10, in mourning the eagle whose life with her longtime mate, Shadow, captured the attention of people around the world through the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam.
The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, whose firefighters helped monitor Jackie and connect with rescuers after she was found grounded near Big Bear Lake in July, said its members were saddened to learn of her death.
“The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District is saddened to learn of the passing of Jackie, the beloved bald eagle who captured the hearts of so many,” the department said in a written statement.
Fire officials said their firefighters were honored to have played a role in helping Jackie receive veterinary care.
“Our firefighters were honored to play a small part in helping Jackie receive veterinary care after she was found injured. While we had all hoped for a different outcome, it was inspiring to see our community and people around the world come together with such compassion and concern for her well-being.”
The department also reflected on what Jackie represented to the community and those who followed her story.
“As our national symbol, the bald eagle represents strength, freedom and patriotism. Jackie’s story was a meaningful reminder of that spirit and of the connection we share with our local wildlife.”
San Bernardino County Fire thanked Friends of Big Bear Valley and Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation’s San Dimas Raptor Rescue team, and the Ojai Raptor Center for their efforts, compassion and care for Jackie.
“We are grateful to everyone who cared for Jackie, followed her journey and came together in support of her,” the department said.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation also shared a tribute Monday, saying Jackie had “captured the hearts of millions.”
“Jackie taught us so much about the beauty and resilience of bald eagles, the importance of protecting wildlife, and the special connections we can build with the natural world,” LA County Parks said in a written statement. “Her legacy will live on through the countless people who watched, learned, cared and were inspired to protect these magnificent birds.”
The agency thanked Friends of Big Bear Valley for giving millions of people the opportunity to witness Jackie’s life and learn about bald eagles through its livestream. It also expressed appreciation to San Bernardino County Fire for its support in spotting and monitoring Jackie.
LA County Parks recognized the Ojai Raptor Center for its efforts during Jackie’s more than three weeks of medical treatment.
“We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Ojai Raptor Center (@ojairaptorcenter) for their extraordinary efforts to care for Jackie, explore every possible avenue to help her and give her the best chance possible,” the agency said.
The San Dimas Raptor Rescue team, part of LA County Parks, was among the agencies that responded during Jackie’s rescue and helped ensure she was safely transferred for specialized veterinary treatment.
“Our own San Dimas Raptor Rescue team was honored to play a part in Jackie’s journey, responding to her rescue and helping ensure she was safely transferred for specialized care,” LA County Parks said.
Visit Big Bear also joined the community in mourning Jackie on Monday, sharing a tribute reflecting on the eagle’s connection to the mountain community.
“Our hearts are heavy today. Rest in peace, Jackie,” Visit Big Bear said in a written statement. “You captured the hearts of Big Bear and so many beyond, reminding us all of the beauty, strength, and wonder of our mountain home.”
The organization concluded its tribute with a reference to Sandy Steers: “We know you are with Sandy now, watching over Big Bear together.”
Jackie’s rescue brought together residents, visitors, firefighters, wildlife rescuers, veterinarians and rehabilitation specialists.
After she was found grounded and unable to fly near Big Bear Lake in July, San Bernardino County firefighters helped monitor the situation as efforts were made to secure assistance. The San Dimas Raptor Rescue team later responded and helped get Jackie into care. She was subsequently transferred to the Ojai Raptor Center, where veterinarians and specialists worked for more than three weeks to determine the cause of her critical illness.
The Ojai Raptor Center announced Monday that Jackie, identified by the facility as Bald Eagle patient 26-519, died during the early morning hours after her condition continued to deteriorate despite intensive treatment.
During her hospitalization, Jackie received oxygen therapy, supportive treatment and around the clock monitoring. Her care included extensive diagnostic testing, advanced imaging, toxicology testing, a blood transfusion, a contrast CT scan and a bone marrow biopsy.
Her remains have been transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Ojai Raptor Center said it is working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and plans to release a more comprehensive statement with additional information about Jackie’s treatments and test results.
Jackie’s death marks the end of a remarkable life that millions of people were able to witness from their homes and classrooms.
Jackie was believed to be 14 years old and had been paired with Shadow for more than eight years. Together, the Big Bear bald eagles developed a worldwide following through Friends of Big Bear Valley’s Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam. The average lifespan of a bald eagle in the wild is 15 to 25 years.
The livestream offered an extraordinary window into the lives of wild bald eagles and became an educational resource for classrooms and viewers around the world. People watched Jackie and Shadow court, tend their nest, protect their eggs and raise their young.
Viewers also watched Jackie endure Big Bear’s changing mountain weather while protecting her eggs, including periods when she remained on the nest covered in snow and other times when she endured the heat. Her dedication to her offspring became one of the qualities that endeared her to people following the eagle family.
Since Jackie was found sick and unable to fly in July, the cameras have also captured Shadow calling out during her absence. Jackie will now never return to the territory the pair shared for years.
The worldwide popularity of Jackie and Shadow also helped create a lasting conservation legacy in Big Bear Valley.
As VVNG previously reported, Friends of Big Bear Valley successfully raised $10 million in July 2026 to purchase and permanently preserve 63 acres of forest and shoreline along Big Bear Lake known as the Moon Camp property.
The conservation effort stopped a planned 50-home housing and marina development on the property, protecting land associated with the local ecosystem and the habitat surrounding Jackie and Shadow.
The enormous following surrounding Jackie, Shadow and the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam helped draw attention and support to the effort, turning the eagles’ worldwide popularity into tangible conservation support for the place they called home.
For the millions who followed them, Jackie and Shadow became more than familiar faces on a wildlife camera. Their story introduced children and adults to bald eagles, encouraged an appreciation for wildlife and conservation, and helped rally people behind permanently protecting a portion of Big Bear Valley.
Most recently, Jackie and Shadow raised Sandy and Luna. Friends of Big Bear Valley said the two young eagles were last seen on camera July 23 and appeared to have left the valley to begin their journeys in the wild.
As news of Jackie’s death spread Monday, people who followed the eagle family shared messages of grief, memories and condolences across social media.
LA County Parks said Jackie’s influence extended well beyond the mountain community where she lived.
“Jackie touched lives far beyond Big Bear Valley,” the agency said. “Her legacy will continue to inspire conservation, education and a deeper appreciation for the wildlife we are so fortunate to share our world with – and continue to inspire the conservation, rehabilitation and rescue work of @lacountyparks and @sandimasraptorrescue.”
The agency ended its tribute with a simple message: “Rest peacefully, Jackie.”
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