Jackie, a cherished bald eagle from Big Bear, California, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 14 due to an unknown illness.
Jackie spent several weeks at a rehabilitation center in Ojai before her sad passing. She and her companion Shadow gained a massive following online through their continuous livestream showcasing their nest by Big Bear Lake, as reported.
Since their bond formed in 2018, viewers have witnessed them endure harsh winter weather, hatch eggs, and care for their adorable chicks.
However, in mid-July, Jackie was discovered severely weakened and unable to fly after an encounter with two younger eagles on the north shore of the lake. She was rescued and taken to the Ojai Raptor Center, where she received care until her passing.
The Ojai Rehabilitation Center expressed their sorrow over Jackie’s death in an Instagram post on Monday.
“This news will resonate deeply with the thousands who followed her journey, shared in our hopes, prayed for her recovery, and supported her caregivers,” the center stated. “Our team is heartbroken. Caring for her was a privilege.”
The center’s executive director, Chris Eckstein, mentioned that Jackie’s conflict with the younger eagles might have led to her being grounded, although it didn’t explain the severe anemia that would typically necessitate a blood transfusion from another eagle.
“Our observations suggest that she may have been unwell for a while before being found,” he noted in an Instagram post earlier this month.
After conducting a series of tests and CT scans, experts were unable to pinpoint the specific cause of Jackie’s illness. Her health fluctuated, as doctors observed her packed cell volume dropping and then rising from below 6 percent to over 9 percent.
“Despite intensive treatment and collaboration with our veterinary team and consulting experts, her condition continued to decline in the days leading up to her death,” said the Ojai center in their statement.
According to USA Today, several potential causes, including lead poisoning, cancer, and metal ingestion, were ruled out through comprehensive testing.
“On July 23, wildlife conservation groups confirmed test results showed that Jackie was not suffering from lead poisoning, which is a common threat to bald eagles and other birds,” he added.
Fans expressed their sadness over her passing on social media.
