The death of Jackie, the celebrity bald eagle from Big Bear Lake, has left countless people heartbroken, in a state of shock, despair and mourning.
For years, fans from around the world bonded with Jackie, her mate, Shadow, and their eaglets, via the Friends of Big Bear Valley’s 24-hour nest cam mounted about 145 feet up a Jeffrey Pine tree.
For many, that bond was broken on Monday, Aug. 10 when the Ojai Raptor Center in Ventura County announced that “Bald Eagle 26-519,” also known as Jackie, had died earlier in the day. The Raptor Center team said the eagle died following more than three weeks of intensive medical care.
Jackie arrived at the center on July 18 after the already ill mama eagle was involved in a ground altercation with two juvenile eagles near Jackie and Shadow’s nest in Fawnskin.
The eagle’s remains have been transferred into the care of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Raptor Center stated.
“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,” Raptor Center officials said. “Our team is heartbroken. It has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her.”
Sandy Steers’ message
As fans watched the declining health of Jackie, many were hoping and praying that the mama eagle would fully recover.
Others were prepared for the news of Jackie’s death.
Some remembered the voice of the late Sandy Steers, the former director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, who shared her wisdom on dealing with the death of a beloved creature.
In 2025, after the death of one of Jackie and Shadow’s three bald eagle chicks at the Fawnskin nest, Steers issued heartfelt advice.
Steers’ message to teachers and parents included how to talk to adults and children when having to face the reality of a creature’s death. She said that FOBBV staff have discovered that the most helpful thing is “having a full discussion so everyone can talk about it and share their ideas.”
Steers added that children’s understanding and their emotions seem to build a “special kind of depth, sincerity and resilience in everyone involved.”
The late director added that the concept of talking about death and sharing emotions with others is like a healing balm when “It can sometimes be hard to accept the things that happen in nature.”
Steers said “young ones” sometimes handle things even better than adults could imagine and teach us things we had forgotten or never knew.
Between celebrity and pet
While Jackie never lived in someone’s home like a pet, fans grew attached to her and considered the eagle part of their family.
“I understand that Jackie was a wild animal and driven by instinct, she became part of our family as we watched her, Shadow and her babies,” Cindy Smith told the Daily Press. “Losing Jackie is like losing a part of our family.”
The following suggestions on dealing with the death of an animal, and the grief that follows, come from the American Veterinary Medical Association and Ohio State University’s medical department, which seem to echo the words of Steers.
The veterinary association said grieving individuals need the love and support of others because you never “get over” grief.
“Talking or being with others who are sharing grief can be one important way to meet this need,” American Veterinary Medical Association officials said.
On Monday, the FOBBV Facebook post about the death of Jackie had received nearly 24,000 comments.
“I did not want to read this at work, now I have people asking what’s wrong,” Jessica Burnell posted. “How do I say I am crying over an eagle I never met.”
Stacy Sibley reading about Jackie’s death “physically stole my breath away for a moment. Despite knowing that it was a very distinct possibility we would lose her.”
Sibley said watching Jackie in her nest during a snowstorm, after losing clutches of eggs and fighting off predators, always made her think that anything and everything was possible.
The American Veterinary Medical Association added that acknowledging the full reality of loss may take weeks or months, and will happen in a time different for every individual.
A healthier grief journey may come from taking your time to work through your feelings rather than trying to push them away or ignoring them.
The American Veterinary Medical Association said embracing memories, both happy and sad, can help with healing. Take time to look at past photos, or write a tribute letter about the animal.
The folks at Ohio State University said while it may feel weird to experience grief for someone you don’t know, it’s entirely normal. The hope is that, over time, and through various coping methods, individuals can experience the loss in healthy and meaningful ways.
University officials also suggest avoiding social media, which at times can be useful, but can also reinforce negative thoughts and emotions.
They also suggest making a donation in order to carry the memory of the deceased forward.
Donation information
For more information and to donate, visit the Ojai Raptor Center’s Bald Eagle Rehabilitation Campaign at ojairaptorcenter.networkforgood.com.
Donate to San Dimas Raptor Rescue at instagram.com/sandimasraptorrescue.
Donate to Friends of Big Bear Valley at friendsofbigbearvalley.org.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: How do we handle grief amid the death of Jackie the eagle?
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
