The beloved Big Bear bald eagle Jackie, who reached global superstar status via livestream, has inspired a statewide day of remembrance.
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Earlier this month, state Sen. Tony Strickland, R-Huntington Beach, introduced Senate Resolution 140 designating Friday, Sept. 4 as “California Wildlife Day” in memory of the raptor. It unanimously passed on Aug. 28.
Jackie, along with her mate, Shadow, captured cultural attention thanks to the environmental nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley, which installed and operates the live-feed cameras.
“Her story reminds us that wildfire conservation brings people together. As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday this year and reflect on the values that unite us, it is especially meaningful to honor the Bald Eagle and Jackie’s incredible legacy here in California,” Strickland said in a press release.
Even in death, Jackie remains part of the cultural conversation. That may be partly due to her online following. The Friends group has roughly 2.4 million social media followers, including more than 1 million on its main Facebook page.
“Her life became a story that people followed, cared about and felt connected to,” Strickland said in a video on social media. The passed resolution, Strickland continued, gives Jackie’s story an “official place in California history and in the Senate and Assembly record.”
The Friends team is thrilled about the news, said the nonprofit’s spokesperson Jenny Voisard Wednesday afternoon.
“This shows the depth of Jackie’s impact and connection to conservation in California and beyond,” Voisard said by text message.
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“We have learned so much about bald eagle behavior and nesting success and failure by watching Jackie over the livestream throughout the years. People of all ages love her and are inspired by her resilience, determination and the special care she took with her mate, nest, eggs and chicks,” Voisard said.
In mid-July, Jackie was found grounded for hours after a fight with two younger eagles.
The Ojai Raptor Center, a wildlife rehab facility in Ventura County, provided medical care for Jackie for nearly a month until she died on Aug. 10. The center noted that Jackie had been suffering from health issues, including large blood clots in both wings and in the kidney. The cause of death remains unknown.
Jackie’s body will undergo a necropsy at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Her remains will eventually be transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Eagle Repository in Colorado, in accordance with federal law.
The repository facility manages the evaluation, storage, and distribution of eagle remains, parts, and feathers to enrolled members of federally recognized Native American tribes. These tribes have historically used eagle remains, parts, and feathers in their religious and cultural ceremonies and in traditional regalia.
Other tributes for Jackie are planned in September and October.
Ceremonies honoring the mama bird will be held on Sept. 5 and 26 at Fawn Park, a privately owned park in Fawnskin, a small community in Big Bear. The ceremony is free and begins at 10 a.m. at 39221 N. Shore Drive, Fawnskin.
The Friends group will host its own tribute to Jackie on Saturday, Oct. 3, in partnership with the tourism group Visit Big Bear, the city of Big Bear Lake, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the U.S. Forest Service’s San Bernardino National Forest, and other agencies.
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Event details have not been announced yet.