In devastating news for the millions of people who follow Big Bear’s famous bald eagles, the Ojai Raptor Center has announced that matriarch Jackie passed away yesterday.
After being injured in an attack by other subadult eagles in mid-July, 14-year-old Jackie was rescued by the San Dimas Raptor Rescue Team. She spent the next 3 weeks in the care of the Ojai Raptor Center being treated for a mysterious illness.
Yesterday, the center released a statement on their social media, breaking the news that Jackie had died in the early hours of the morning on August 10.
“Over the past several days, her condition continued to deteriorate despite intensive treatment and the combined efforts of our veterinary team and consulting specialists. She remained critically ill, receiving oxygen therapy, supportive treatment, and around-the-clock monitoring in our intensive care unit.”
“…We know this news will be deeply felt by the many thousands of people around the world who have followed her journey, hoped alongside us, prayed for her, and supported the people caring for her.”
While her exact cause of death has not been confirmed, the center’s executive director, Chris Eksteen, said in an Instagram video that it was likely Jackie was already unwell before the eagle attack that left her grounded.
Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), the nonprofit that runs the Big Bear nest cams, reposted the Ojai Raptor Center’s post on its popular Facebook page, adding:
“It is with great sadness and heavy hearts, to bring you the latest update from Ojai Raptor Center.
Please be kind to yourself, to others, to the FOBBV team and to those at the Ojai Raptor Center.
Soar free Jackie…“
Followers flooded the comments, with the post receiving nearly 200,000 likes in its first 12 hours.
What happens now?
The Ojai Raptor Center confirmed that Jackie’s remains have been transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the center will release another statement shortly with more information about her treatment.
Jackie and her longtime mate, Shadow, had just reared two chicks, Sandy and Luna, who fledged on July 23rd. According to an =AZalEkec0IixCVDOLXbiCZCUypYS0kng0oBLJOzggchNuOewTuDXB-alE6ERqr1AJZPIV1vfl4jJVTZhhw8jyiui13jmSjHy-WeucDi78EbE7Dim8ZhKHhKBHe4vdou-WCwV53Gp0KbB9JAeZJvAyBFAt1RM093HPGGfBknqGcvpRg&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R”]August 5th post on the FOBBV page, the chicks have “left the valley on their grand journey.”
That leaves behind 12-year-old Shadow, who is still occasionally seen on camera. It’s too soon to tell what he will do now, but loyal fans will no doubt be following him closely.