Jackie, the cherished bald eagle from California’s Big Bear, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 14 after battling a mysterious illness.
For several weeks, Jackie had been receiving care at a rehabilitation center in Ojai before her untimely passing. She, along with her partner Shadow, captivated millions as viral internet stars, thanks to the continuous livestream showcasing their nest above Big Bear Lake, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Ever since their partnership began in 2018, followers watched the duo brave harsh winter conditions, nurture eggs, and lovingly care for their fluffy offspring.
In mid-July, Jackie was discovered on the lake’s north shore, appearing weak, disheveled, and grounded after an encounter with two younger eagles. She was subsequently rescued and taken to the Ojai Raptor Center, where specialists worked tirelessly to aid her recovery until she passed.
The Ojai rehabilitation center expressed their sadness over Jackie’s passing through a heartfelt Instagram post on Monday.
“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,” the center said. “Our team is heartbroken. It has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her.”
Chris Eksteen, the center’s executive director, said the fight with two younger eagles may have grounded Jackie’s flight but did not cause her symptoms of severe anemia, which required a blood transfusion from another eagle.
“What we are seeing suggests that she has been unwell for some time before she was found,” he said in an Instagram post this month.
Experts were unable to determine the exact cause of Jackie’s mysterious illness following a series of tests and a CT scan. Her health battle became up-and-down as doctors routinely saw her packed cell volume dip and rebound from below 6 percent to above 9 percent.
“Over the past several days, her condition continued to deteriorate despite intensive treatment and the combined efforts of our veterinary team and consulting specialists,” the Ojai center said in its announcement.
According to USA Today, “several other possible causes, such as lead poisoning, cancer and metal objects, were ruled out through extensive testing.”
“On July 23, wildlife agencies had said test results show Jackie does not have lead poisoning, a common killer among bald eagles and other birds,” it added.
Fans mourned her death on social media: