Quick Take
- Jackie fought off her attackers, though the real danger came after the confrontation ended. See the confrontation details →
- Rescuers couldn't confirm the eagle was Jackie, and the reason why is more troubling than it sounds. Why identification was impossible →
- The state Jackie was found in told rescuers exactly how desperate her situation had become. Jackie's condition at rescue →
- While Jackie recovers, Shadow is doing something at the nest that says everything about their bond. Shadow's vigil at the nest →
Bald eagles Jackie and Shadow have become household names among animal lovers. The two lovebirds are a world-famous pair from Big Bear Lake, California. While many of their endearing moments have gone viral, Jackie recently experienced a frightening confrontation with other eagles. This YouTube video from KTLA 5 discusses the injuries the bird faced as well as the rescue process. Read here to learn more.
Jackie and Shadow’s livestream is a great look at the daily lives of birds that were once almost extinct.
©Joseph Scott Photography/Shutterstock.com
What Happened to Jackie?
Jackie and Shadow quickly grew famous for their 24/7 livestream, with millions of viewers watching their daily lives. However, a recent incident near Dana Point Park in the Big Bear area left many viewers concerned. Around July 17th, an adult eagle was spotted in confrontation with two younger bald eagles. The adult eagle was able to successfully defend itself but was injured to the point that it could not fly well. Although rescuers could not confirm the eagle’s identity as Jackie due to the absence of banding and photo comparison, many believed the eagle was Jackie. Eventually, Friends of Big Bear Valley—the organization operating the livestream—determined that the rescued eagle was most likely Jackie, which concerned many fans.
When it became clear Jackie was not recovering on her own, she was taken in by the Los Angeles County Parks’ San Dimas Raptor Rescue Team. The team was able to secure her safely and examine her condition. As of now, Jackie is stable and alert, but is underweight and visibly weaker than normal. After being rescued, her feathers were extremely disheveled, and her talons were caked in mud. This condition shows how much time she spent stuck on the ground, which caused concern among rescuers. Thankfully, Jackie is stable and undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. Shadow remains at their nest to defend their territory and young while patiently waiting for Jackie’s return. Let’s hope for Jackie’s speedy recovery and quick return to the wild.
