Today, on Monday, August 10, came the incredibly sad news that Jackie, the beloved bald eagle who has become special to so many people, has died after an illness. The majestic bird was being cared for by the staff at the Ojai Raptor Center in California since mid-July. She was 14 years old, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Jackie and mate Shadow, another bald eagle, became widespread fan favorites. That was largely thanks to a popular livestream of the pair's day-to-day activities. They had settled into their home in a pine tree at Big Bear Lake. The two were together for eight years. During that time, Jackie and Shadow's followers witnessed them via the birdcam dealing with harsh weather and tenderly raising their chicks.
Jackie Was Found Sick Last Month
However, Jackie's story took an unfortunate turn last month. She "was found weak, disheveled, and unable to fly" on the shore of the lake. She evidently got into a tussle with a couple of other eagles, per the outlet. Jackie was then brought to the Ojai Raptor Center, where experts pulled out all the stops to nurse her back to health.
She apparently had "severe anemia." Regrettably, her condition did not consistently improve. Per the Los Angeles Times, Jackie had all kinds of treatment and sophisticated diagnostics. Among them were oxygen therapy, a blood transfusion, a bone marrow biopsy, and a contrast CT scan. Everything humanly possible was done for her.
"Our Team Is Heartbroken"
The following words must have been written with a deeply heavy heart. The Ojai Raptor Center put this message on
Facebook. It is for all those who loved Jackie, watched her and Shadow on the birdcam, prayed for her recovery, and are mourning her death. She is referred to as Bald Eagle 26-519. This, in part, is what the Center shared with Jackie's devoted public."It is with profound sadness that we share that Patient 26-519 passed away in the early hours of this morning, following more than three weeks of intensive medical care. Over the past several days, her condition continued to deteriorate despite intensive treatment and the combined efforts of our veterinary team and consulting specialists. She remained critically ill, receiving oxygen therapy, supportive treatment, and around-the-clock monitoring in our intensive care unit. Throughout her time at Ojai Raptor Center, every decision was guided by the available medical evidence, her welfare, and our responsibility to do what was in her best interest...."
Furthermore, the statement went on about Jackie and her caregivers, "Our team is heartbroken. It has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her."
Godspeed, Jackie. The sky belongs to you forever now.
