Jackie, a bald eagle whose life at California's Big Bear Lake was followed by millions via livestream, died on Monday at the age of 14. Her death is attributed to a mysterious illness.
The eagle had been undergoing treatment at the Ojai Raptor Center since mid-July. She was found weak and unable to fly following an encounter with two younger eagles. Experts at the centre discovered she was suffering from severe anemia and suspected she had been ill for weeks before the incident.
Despite various tests, including a CT scan and bone marrow biopsy, experts at the centre were unable to determine the cause of Jackie's illness. The Ojai Raptor Center is consulting with US and California fish and wildlife services and plans to release more information later.
Jackie's nest had been livestreamed since October 2015, initially featuring her parents. Viewers watched Jackie defend her nest in 2018 and later, with her mate Shadow, raise several clutches of hatchlings. The couple's story also inspired a public campaign to preserve their natural habitat.