Jackie Big Bear Eagle died in the overnight hours of Aug. 9 while receiving intensive medical care at the Ojai Raptor Center. She had been there for over three weeks, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife later detailed the injuries and illness that led to her decline.
The agency said Jackie had a large blood clot in her wing and kidney, liver abnormalities, lung abnormalities and inadequate bone marrow response. The Ojai Raptor Center said she was unable to keep food down after 23 days in treatment and that her packed cell volume dropped significantly.
Ojai Raptor Center details
Jackie also had previously been diagnosed with anemia and kidney inflammation. Over recent days before her death, veterinarians carried out a contrast CT scan, a bone marrow biopsy and specialized testing for heavy metals as they tried to understand what was driving the deterioration.
Fans of the Big Bear eagle pair are now left with the loss of Jackie, who was the mate of Shadow for eight years. Jenny Voisard said, “He was very set on being here when he came to the territory in 2018, so we don't know if that means he'll want to stay. It very well could,” adding that quite a few visiting eagles are in the area right now.
Friends of Big Bear Valley
Voisard also said, “Another juvenile hopped into the nest yesterday, so nature continues to journey on and unfold, and we'll be here to watch.” Friends of Big Bear Valley said it does not have any input on how Jackie's remains are handled, even though the nonprofit operates the nest camera that made her famous.
Veterinary pathologists at the San Diego Wildlife Alliance will perform a necropsy, and Jackie's remains will be transported to the National Eagle Repository in Colorado in compliance with federal law. The repository receives, evaluates, stores and distributes eagle remains, parts and feathers to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes for religious, cultural and ceremonial purposes.
National Eagle Repository
For fans of the Big Bear Valley pair, the next step is not another public viewing but the medical review that may explain what finally made Jackie deteriorate. The answer will come from the necropsy, not from the nest camera.
