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Big Bear bald eagle Jackie dies after health "continued to deteriorate," California veterinary center says
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Jackie, the nationally recognized bald eagle known for raising eaglets in Big Bear with her partner Shadow, has died after over three weeks of intensive medical care at the Ojai Raptor Center in California.
- Jackie was rescued following a fight with two subadult eagles and suffered from anemia and a mysterious illness that led to a critical decline despite treatments including a blood transfusion and oxygen therapy.
- The eagle had been monitored closely via a livestream by the Friends of Big Bear Valley, a nonprofit that named her eaglets with local schoolchildren, fostering strong community engagement.
- Jackie was estimated to be about 14 years old and mothered several eaglets to fledging, including her most recent chicks, Luna and Sandy, the latter named in honor of the late FOBBV executive director Sandy Steers.
- The Friends of Big Bear Valley and the Ojai Raptor Center have requested kindness and respect for their teams following Jackie’s passing, commemorating her legacy with the phrase, "Soar free Jackie."
