The death of Jackie, the beloved bald eagle whose life overlooking Big Bear Lake captivated millions on a nonstop livestream, has led to a spirited debate over what happens to her remains.
Typically, when bald and golden eagles die, their carcasses are sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Eagle Repository. This facility, established in the early 1970s, provides feathers, parts, and whole bodies to members of federally recognized Native American tribes for religious purposes. This practice addresses a historical oversight, as the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940, while conserving the birds, had inadvertently criminalized many Indigenous traditions, as explained by Jack E. Davis in his 2022 book "The Bald Eagle."
However, not everyone agrees this is Jackie's rightful destination. Sandra Sehl, a devoted fan, launched a Change.org petition asking officials to consider returning Jackie to Big Bear for an "appropriate educational, scientific, conservation or memorial arrangement," envisioning her taxidermied alongside a mock nest. This sentiment has divided Jackie's extensive fan base.
On the other side, many, including the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley—which operates the livestream—support sending Jackie's remains to tribal hands. Sherri Griffin, another fan, publicly questioned requests for special treatment for Jackie, writing on Facebook that it was "functionally, asking a hard-won Indigenous legal right to bend for public sentiment… or essentially structural racism." Jenny Voisard, a spokesperson for Friends of Big Bear Valley, indicated the nonprofit hopes Jackie's remains will go to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, a tribe with historical ties to the Big Bear Valley.
Pete Bloom, a raptor biologist who avoids naming wild birds, generally supports the repository system. While rare exceptions exist for specific scientific study, he warned that making an exception for Jackie could "open up a can of worms," leading to similar requests for other livestreamed eagles and creating management complexities.
The controversy underscores what Bloom calls the "double-edged sword of anthropomorphizing a wild animal." While the collective devotion to Jackie spurred positive action, such as Friends of Big Bear Valley successfully raising over $10 million to conserve land near her nest, it also created a sense of ownership that led to infighting and division following her death. The nonprofit, in the meantime, is discussing a memorial for Jackie with local agencies.
