RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 9 sourcesPETS & ANIMALS Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle left lasting impact on fans, environmentalists By Amy Powell Tuesday, August 11, 2026 6:20AM With the death of Jackie, one half of Big Bear's beloved bald eagle couple, reactions are pouring in from fans around the world BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. (KABC) -- With the death of Jackie, one half of Big Bear's beloved bald eagle couple, reactions are pouring in from fans around the world.
Jackie's impact stretched well beyond Big Bear, with millions around the world tuning in to watch her and Shadow on the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) live eagle nest cam over the years.
Fans followed Jackie's life for more than a decade on the FOBBV live camera. She raised several eaglets in the nest over the years.
Sandy Steers, the wildlife activist who had the camera installed, died earlier this year.
"When Sandy was ill towards her final days, she was able to watch Jackie again like she hadn't watched her in years and reconnected with her," said FOBBV spokesperson Jenny Voisard.
Jackie died on Monday morning after her condition deteriorated while suffering from a prolonged illness. She was discovered grounded and lethargic near Big Bear Lake in mid-July, and after being rescued, vet teams determined she was anemic with inflammation affecting her kidneys.
Things were up and down for Jackie as veterinarians worked to figure out the cause of her anemia. She spent much of her time at the Ojai Raptor Center in the intensive care unit, receiving oxygen therapy. Then, her health took a turn for the worse over the weekend.
"Jackie and Shadow, they've helped me in my personal life. They've helped me get through tragedy and trauma. They've taught me how to move on, so I'm going to use all of those skills," Voisard said. "But I tell you, it's hard. This one hurts."
"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. Our team is heartbroken. It has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her," the Ojai Raptor Center wrote , which cared for Jackie in the last weeks of her life. "To everyone who cared about Patient 26-519, thank you. Thank you for your messages, your prayers, your encouragement, and for standing beside our team throughout these past weeks. We are deeply grateful for the way Patient 26-519 brought people together through a shared love of wildlife."
The CALM Zoo, which is home to an eagle who previously gave Jackie a blood transfusion, also shared its condolences.
"Our hearts are with the incredible team at the Ojai Raptor Center following the loss of bald eagle patient #26-519. She touched so many lives, and we share a deep compassion for this magnificent bird. We want to recognize the immense talent, expertise, and round-the-clock dedication of Ojai's medical team. They did everything humanly possible for patient #26-519 as they do for every bird that is entered into their program," the CALM Zoo shared in a statement. This difficult moment reminds us how vital wildlife rehabilitation facilities are to protecting our native species. It has been truly beautiful to see the entire community come together to support wildlife care. Thank you to all those who became wildlife advocates in the name of patient #26-519; her legacy will continue."
Public adoration of Jackie brings up memories of P-22, the famed mountain lion that made Griffith Park his home. P-22 was euthanized nearly four years ago due to deteriorating health.
"I think that people becoming attached to wild animals like Jackie the bald eagle or P-22 really compels them to think about conservation and feel the need to protect their habitat," said wildlife photographer Robert Martinez.
Eyewitness News asked fans on Instagram : "How did Jackie's story impact you?" We received countless heartfelt responses.
One viewer, @adam_ouhida88, commented, "Jackie inspired me to absolutely love birds of prey like eagles and hawks."
Viewer @labrador_king echoed a similar sentiment, writing, "It gave me a more profound understanding and appreciation for eagles."
"My mom found comfort watching Jackie's journey while in a memory care facility," @cohendoreen wrote.
Another viewer said she watched Jackie with her mother before she passed away earlier this year. "My mom and I loved watching her take care of her babies. My mom passed in April," @chicana_juarez wrote.
"We watched Jackie and Shadow in our piercing studio every day for the last two years!" user @ashleyholiday said.
Another viewer from Big Bear Lake, @pfisterk, wrote, "I feel like Jackie was our family. Heartbroken."
"It was such a wonderful experience to see Jackie, God's beautiful creation, up close," user @angelsolmc said.
"A hero loved by many. She made me feel like I had wings and could soar high like eagles," user @big_griff027 wrote.
Not a lot of people besides wildlife experts paid much attention to the bald eagles of Big Bear Lake before FOBBV installed the nest cam in 2015. Experts believe Jackie was born in the nest in 2011 and then left the area.
The eaglet was initially named Jack, after a long-time volunteer for the Forest Service bald eagle counts. They later realized it was female, and her name was changed to Jackie.
Jackie's parents, Ricky and Lucy, lived in the nest until about 2015. FOBBV got the proper permit to place the camera near the nest, but unbeknownst to them, Ricky and Lucy had left.
The nest sat empty with not much action on the camera for about a year before Jackie returned, which interested animal experts since it's very rare for eagle chicks to return to their nest.
Jackie mated at the nest the following season, and has been followed by adoring fans ever since. Jackie is considered perhaps the most photographed eagle of all time.
While Jackie initially shared the nest with a mate named Mr. B, she spent the last eight years of her life with her partner, S...
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