These memorial events will honor Big Bear bald eagle Jackie

Fans of the Big Bear bald eagle Jackie, who died in early August, may find some closure with upcoming tribute celebrations.

In mid-July, the world-famous raptor was found grounded for hours after fighting two younger eagles. Jackie rose to prominence thanks to a 24/7 livestream camera situated near the raptor’s nest shared with partner Shadow, and operated by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley.

A Ventura County wildlife rehab facility, Ojai Raptor Center, provided medical care to Jackie for almost a month until her passing on Aug. 10. The Ojai center said Jackie had been suffering from ailments, including large blood clots in both wings and in a kidney. There is still no word on the cause of death.

The devoted fandom for the mama bird has not dampened. Internet chatter with pleas to commemorate the eagle have flooded Friends of Big Bear Valley social media posts and other online fan groups.

The requests of fans, many who felt a person connection with Jackie and Shadow after watching them online for years, have been answered.

The Friends group, 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, is planning a special memorial ceremony to honor Jackie on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Location, time, and event details are to be announced at a later date.

Another memorial tribute – unaffiliated with Friends of Big Bear Valley – is also planned in Fawnskin, a small community in Big Bear where the eagle nest resides.

A shrine erected at privately owned Fawn Park is the site for the events planned on Sept. 5 and 26 at 10 a.m., 39221 N. Shore Drive, Fawnskin.

Mike Wayman, who owns the park, said the planned events are free to the public.

Fans can “show up, pay their respects, say a few words if they’d like,” Wayman said by phone Friday morning.