Injured Bald Eagle Found In Big Bear Is 'Likely' Area's Beloved Jackie

BIG BEAR LAKE, CA — A rescued adult bald eagle found injured in Big Bear Valley is currently receiving specialized care, but it's still unclear whether the raptor is the famous Jackie, a beloved mama bird of the area.

The injured bald eagle was first spotted on the ground near Big Bear's Dana Point Park on July 16 and was observed again the following day, according to updates from Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV).

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Cellphone video captured the creature in a brief ground altercation with two young bald eagles. While the injured bird successfully fended off the other raptors by turning onto its back and using its talons, it was unable to fly far, according to FOBBV.

Members of the County of Los Angeles San Dimas Raptor Rescue Team responded to the location, picked up the injured eagle, and subsequently transferred it to an undisclosed specialty rehabilitation facility for treatment.

Speculation has mounted online that the rescued bird is Jackie, the bald eagle whose nest, perched above Big Bear Lake, is monitored 24/7 via a popular free livestream courtesy of FOBBV.

FOBBV representatives noted that Jackie has not appeared on camera for several days and she is not banded, making positive identification of her difficult. Additionally, multiple visiting bald eagles are currently in the area.

"We do not know for sure who the [injured] eagle is and we do not have confirmation of its sex. There is a lot of misinformation and speculation online right now and we will provide the facts as we obtain them," according to an FOBBV statement.

However, after reviewing photos and video sent by the public and the initial rescue center, FOBBV leaders have indicated the injured bird is "likely" Jackie.

"She is in the best place she can be and getting the care she needs," FOBBV said in a statement, adding that while no immediate medical updates were available, the rehab facility will provide information as it develops.

It's not clear what is wrong with the bird.

FOBBV urged the public to refrain from contacting rehabilitation facilities directly looking for information on the injured bald eagle, emphasizing that staffers need to focus their limited resources on caring for hurt animals.

FOBBV said it is in direct contact with the unnamed wildlife rehab facility as well as the County of Los Angeles San Dimas Raptor Rescue Team.

FOBBV assured its followers that official facts will be released as soon as verified information becomes available.

Jackie, believed to have hatched in 2021, along with her mate, Shadow, have been watched over the years attempting to hatch and raise their offspring at Big Bear Lake.

Their family expanded in 2026. Jackie laid two eggs early this year, but both were eaten by a raven. The following month, however, she laid two more eggs, both of which hatched in April.

The two eaglets, one male and one female, were named Luna and Sandy, the latter named after Sandy Steers (1952-2026), FOBBV’s founder and executive director, who conceived of and organized the live-streaming nest-cam.

Similar to previous years, both eaglet names were chosen by students at Big Bear Elementary School.

Sandy and Luna fledged within one day of each other in late June, slightly prematurely due to Luna accidentally knocking Sandy out of their tree.

Both juveniles are now out of the nest and believed to be thriving.