RIP

Viral Bald Eaglet Dies After Snowstorm Hits Big Bear Valley

Severe weather claimed the life of one of famed avian couple Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets.

One of three eaglets born to California’s famous bald eagle pair, Jackie and Shadow, has died, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley. The wildlife group reported that the chick passed away following a heavy snowstorm that dumped more than two feet of powder in the area. “We are sad to let everyone know that one of Jackie and Shadow’s chicks did not make it through the severe weather,” the nonprofit said in a statement. While the exact time of death remains unclear, the organization noted that the chick was fed along with its siblings at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Later, viewers noticed it was missing, raising concern among eagle fans who follow the nest via livestream. The storm obstructed parts of the nest from view, and as the snow melted, the chick’s body was partially visible in the nest. Friends of Big Bear Valley dispelled rumors that the chick died from a “wingslap,” or being stepped on by the parents, confirming that the cause remains unknown. Jackie, 11, and Shadow, 13, continue to raise the surviving eaglets as wildlife enthusiasts mourn the passing of their third chick.