What Happened to Jackie and Shadow (Big Bear Bald Eagles)?

Jackie, believed to have hatched in Big Bear Valley around 2012, and Shadow, her mate since 2018, became global sensations through the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) livestream camera, which began in 2015. Their journey offered an intimate look into the lives of wild bald eagles, showcasing the natural cycles of nesting, hatching, and fledging, alongside the harsh realities of nature.

Over the years, Jackie and Shadow experienced varying success in raising their young. The 2024 nesting season saw Jackie lay three eggs, but none hatched, eventually being breached by ravens after an extended incubation period. In a more successful 2025 season, all three eggs laid by Jackie hatched, producing eaglets Misty, Sunny, and Gizmo. However, Misty tragically perished during a severe snowstorm, while Sunny and Gizmo successfully fledged in June 2025.

The 2026 season began with renewed hope as Jackie laid two eggs in January. Unfortunately, these eggs were lost to ravens, possibly due to prior damage. Undeterred, Jackie laid a second clutch of two eggs in February 2026, which successfully hatched into eaglets named Luna and Sandy in April. Both Luna and Sandy fledged in late June 2026. This period also marked a significant conservation victory, as FOBBV successfully raised $10 million, including a substantial donation from OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman, to purchase and protect the 63-acre Moon Camp property near the eagles' nest, safeguarding their habitat.

However, the summer of 2026 brought a somber turn. On July 17, Jackie was found injured near Dana Point Park after an altercation with two subadult eagles. She was rescued and transported to the Ojai Raptor Center for rehabilitation. Initially, there was hope for her recovery, with reports of her making steady progress. But her condition soon deteriorated, marked by severe anemia and kidney inflammation. Despite intensive medical care, including a blood transfusion, Jackie's health continued to worsen.

On August 10, 2026, Jackie passed away at the Ojai Raptor Center. Her death, at approximately 14 years old, was met with widespread sadness from her global fanbase. Her remains were transferred to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. As of August 13, 2026, Shadow is on his summer vacation, and several other eagles have been observed near the Big Bear nest, raising questions about the future of the territory. The Forest Service maintains a closure order around the habitat to protect wildlife.