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Jackie and Shadow spotted in Big Bear after 4th of July fireworks
Jackie and Shadow were spotted in the area after the Fourth of July.
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Courtesy Friends of Big Bear Valley
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Facebook
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Big Bear's famous eagles Jackie and Shadow have been spotted in the area after the Fourth of July.
It's welcome news for the pair's many fans, who worried that the vacation town's firework show would disrupt the eagles and their two babies Sunny and Gizmo, who fledged from the nest last month.
Jackie and Shadow disappeared from view during the fireworks, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, and were still nowhere to be found the next morning. But by Saturday evening, the pair had re-appeared in a tree.
It's possible the eaglets may have left the area as part of their development. They were last spotted on the nest on June 26, according to the nonprofit.
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"Wait-and-see" on the eaglets
"One of our greatest concerns was for Sunny and Gizmo, who fledged in early June, as they had not been exposed to loud noises for a long period of time," said Friends of Big Bear Valley's "Eagle Log" page Sunday.
"There was a possibility the fireworks might scare them off if they are still in the habitat. It's a wait-and-see as it is still uncertain if they remain in the Big Bear area."
The fireworks were contentious in Big Bear this year. More than 40,000 people signed a petition urging the community to halt its fireworks show because of potential harms to the eagles and other wildlife.
"Known for their majestic daytime flight, eagles do not naturally fly after dark unless they are threatened or disturbed," that petition reads in part. "The loud and frightening explosions of fireworks can spook them, causing them to flee their nests, potentially into situations fraught with danger."
Visit Big Bear, one of the organizations that put on the event, said in a statement ahead of the holiday that it went on with the show after careful consideration of the community and environment.
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"Our eagles are a source of joy, pride, and identity here in Big Bear — and our commitment to their future is unwavering,” said Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott.
A video of Jackie and Shadow on the evening of July 5 shows the two birds sharing a branch on a tree above Big Bear. The only legible sound is birdsong.
Corrected July 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM PDT
A previous version of the story incorrectly included a caption that named the eaglet chicks. We regret the error.
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