Ojai Raptor Center Warns Fans About Jackie the Bald Eagle Merch

The wildlife rehabilitation center that cared for beloved Big Bear bald eagle Jackie before her death is warning fans against buying unauthorized merchandise being sold in her name.

Ojai Raptor Center said Aug. 13 that it does not sell Jackie-themed products and has not authorized anyone to raise money on its behalf through merchandise featuring the eagle, whose death on Aug. 10 sparked an outpouring of grief from followers around the world.

In a Facebook post, the California-based center urged supporters to donate directly to wildlife rehabilitation organizations rather than purchase products claiming to benefit Jackie or the center. The warning comes as demand for Jackie-related merchandise has surged in the days since the 14-year-old eagle’s death following weeks of treatment for an undiagnosed illness.

In its warning, the center said it had seen individuals and businesses selling merchandise featuring Patient 26-519, publicly known as Jackie, including items promoted as benefiting Ojai Raptor Center. The organization said it does not sell merchandise featuring individual patients.

Which Jackie Merchandise Is Authorized?

The center operates an official online store that sells Ojai Raptor Center merchandise, but it said it does not create or sell merchandise featuring Jackie or any other individual patient.

Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit behind the popular Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, was the only organization to approach the center about a Jackie merchandise collection, according to Ojai Raptor Center. The rehabilitation center said it declined the proposal.

Although the center supports Friends of Big Bear Valley, it specifically requested that none of the proceeds from that group’s merchandise be donated to Ojai Raptor Center. Friends of Big Bear Valley did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

How Fans Can Help Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers

Rather than purchasing unverified Jackie merchandise, Ojai Raptor Center encouraged supporters to donate directly to wildlife rehabilitation organizations.

Wildlife rehabilitation centers depend heavily on public support to provide specialized care for injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife, the center said.

The appeal came as enthusiasm for Jackie-related merchandise remained high. Friends of Big Bear Valley said in a Facebook post that its online store “basically sold out” within 24 hours of Jackie’s death and that it was working to restock items.

What Happened to Big Bear’s Bald Eagle Jackie?

Jackie died Aug. 10 while receiving treatment for an undiagnosed illness at Ojai Raptor Center.

The eagle had become a global sensation through Friends of Big Bear Valley’s livestream nest camera, which allowed millions of viewers to watch her and longtime mate Shadow raise eaglets in the mountains of Southern California.

Jackie was 14, relatively young for a bald eagle. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, bald eagles can live up to 30 years in the wild.

Jackie was taken to the center after an altercation with two subadult eagles on July 17. She was later found grounded near Dana Point Park and transported to the center, about 170 miles from her home territory in Big Bear Valley.

In an Aug. 11 update, the center said veterinarians could not identify a single definitive cause of her illness despite extensive testing. Findings included severe regenerative anemia, blood clots in a wing and kidney, liver and lung abnormalities, and inadequate bone marrow response.

Doctors had previously ruled out several possible causes, including lead poisoning, cancer and metal toxicity. After 23 days of treatment, Jackie’s condition continued to worsen before she died naturally early Aug. 10.

As tributes continue, Ojai Raptor Center is reminding supporters that the best way to honor Jackie is to support wildlife rehabilitation efforts directly rather than purchasing merchandise that may falsely claim to benefit the organizations she touched.

Contributing: Michelle Del Rey, James Powel, Anthony Thompson, Amanda Lee Myers and Julia Gomez, USA TODAY.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY.