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.
"We have seen many individuals and businesses selling merchandise featuring Patient 26-519, publicly known as 'Jackie,' including some items being promoted as benefiting Ojai Raptor Center," the organization wrote in an Aug. 13 Facebook post. "We want to make our position clear. Ojai Raptor Center does not sell patient merchandise."
Ojai Raptor Center: We don't sell Jackie merchandise
The organization said that while it operates an official online store that sells Ojai Raptor Center merchandise, it does not "create or sell merchandise featuring Jackie or any other individual patient."
Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit behind the wildly 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.
"While we fully support FOBBV and appreciate the beautiful project they created, we specifically requested that none of the proceeds from their merchandise be donated to Ojai Raptor Center," the center said.
Friends of Big Bear Valley did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
How fans can help Ojai Raptor Center and wildlife rehabilitation centers
Rather than purchasing unverified Jackie merchandise,Ojai Raptor Center encouraged supporters to donate directly to wildlife rehabilitation organizations.
"Wildlife rehabilitation centers across the country depend heavily on public support to provide specialized care for injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife," the center said. "Make Sure Your Support Reaches the Right Place."
The appeal comes as enthusiasm for Jackie-related merchandise remains 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. The organization said it has been working around the clock to restock items, with some new orders already on the way.
'Soar free 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.
Her death left thousands of fans heartbroken. At 14 years old, Jackie was still relatively young for a bald eagle. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, bald eagles can live up to30 years in the wild.
The raptor center said its staff was "heartbroken" by the loss.
"It has been an extraordinary privilege to care for her," the organization said.
"Soar free Jackie," Friends of Big Bear Valley and Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam wrote in a tribute after her death. "Along with all of you, our FOBBV is heartbroken over Jackie's passing."
What happened to Big Bear's bald eagle Jackie?
Jackie died less than a month after she was involved in an "altercation" with two subadult eagles July 17.
Although she initially defended herself, she was later found grounded near Dana Point Park. Rescuers transported her to Ojai Raptor 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 for Jackie's illness despite extensive testing.
"Findings included severe regenerative anemia (low red blood cell count), thrombosis (blood clots in both her wing and one kidney), liver abnormalities, lung abnormalities, and inadequate bone marrow response," the center said.
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 in the early morning hours of Aug. 10.
For many fans, the grief remains raw. But as tributes continue to pour in, 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, Julia Gomez / USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ojai Raptor Center warns fans about Jackie the bald eagle merch
