With Big Bear eagle Jackie suffering from an undiagnosed illness in intensive care for nearly a week, fans of the Internet-famous bird and his mate Shadow desperately needed a silver lining — and they just got it.
On Friday, Friends of Big Bear Valley, a nonprofit that monitors eagles, announced that OpenAI founder Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna, have donated $5.5 million to a fundraiser to purchase land slated for development near the pair’s nest.
The influx of money means that the fundraising goal of $10 million has been reached.
“I’m really excited about this,” said Jenny Voisard, website and media manager for Friends of Big Bear Valley. “I think we needed some good news given Jackie’s situation.”
Greg Brockman and Laurie Segall speak on stage at the 2023 SXSW Conference.
(Errich Petersen/Getty Images for SXSW)
The Brockmans are among thousands around the world who have watched Jackie and Shadow bond and raise chicks through webcams installed by the nonprofit, Anna Brockman said in a statement.
“They inspire patience and a sense of connection with something bigger, with nature,” she said. “We are proud to support you.”
The nonprofit has long maintained that the land — reportedly the last undeveloped resource on the shores of Big Bear Lake — represents important feeding ground for eagles. Last September, the San Bernardino Board of Supervisors approved a 50-home, 55-slip marina project called Moon Camp, which county officials say will not harm raptors.
Although the non-profit organization is best known for turning Jackie and Shadow into celebrities by live streaming their nest, it grew out of an effort to set up a similar project 25 years ago. In February, he launched a fundraising campaign to stop the development forever.
Even with 25,000 donations, it didn’t crack the average mark. Most of them were young. Then, before the Fourth of July, Anna Brockman contacted the nonprofit through a representative, Voisard said. After a few phone calls, a generous offer was made.
But before it could be publicly announced, disaster struck the nest. According to a report by ABC 7, the couple saw Jackie walking with two young eagles on the shore of the lake last Friday. When he didn’t return to the nest that night, they got help – which led to his rescue and transfer to the Ojai Raptor Center.
Since then, he has undergone numerous tests and even received a life-saving blood transfusion. However, experts are still trying to determine the cause of his condition, which includes severe anemia. To date, the agency says it has not ruled out lead poisoning and the presence of ingested material, among other things. As of Thursday, he was in critical condition and receiving intensive care, although he had recovered. The agency expects to provide an update again on Monday,”[i]f everything is going according to plan.”
As fans waited on tenterhooks for more health updates, many celebrated the fundraising win.
“Who’s cutting the onions?,” one commenter wrote on Facebook, accompanied by a crying emoji.
Another replied, “I think we all are.”
With all donations, the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust can purchase a parcel, and cover closing costs, taxes, legal fees and some maintenance of the property.
Previously, the land trust would have transferred the land to the US Forest Service but chose not to, Voisard said. He suggested that they no longer trust government officials to protect it.
Sandy Steers, former executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, helped broker the deal between the land trust and developers. He passed away shortly before the fundraiser began, leaving his conservation work in the hands of his colleagues and supporters.
“I know you’re proud and happy,” Voisard said.
“Now we want Jackie to come home and enjoy her Moon Camp.”
