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Famous bald eagles Jackie and Shadow have spawned an economy of grifters


Published on 2025-03-30 10:04:39 - LAist
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  • Friends of the Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that operates the livestream, started noticing fake Jackie and Shadow social media accounts a few years ago. With this year's hatchings, the charlatans have exploded.

The article discusses how the popularity of Jackie and Shadow, a pair of bald eagles in Big Bear Valley, California, has inadvertently led to an economy of grifters. These eagles, who have become internet celebrities through live cams set up by the Friends of Big Bear Valley, have attracted a large following, especially during their nesting season. However, this fame has also drawn scammers who exploit the eagles' popularity by selling merchandise, soliciting donations, and even creating fake live streams. These grifters often use the eagles' images and stories to mislead the public into thinking they are supporting the eagles or related conservation efforts, when in fact, they are pocketing the money for personal gain. The Friends of Big Bear Valley have had to issue warnings about these fraudulent activities, urging fans to only engage with official channels to support the eagles.

Read the Full LAist Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/celebrities/famous-bald-eagles-jackie-and-shadow-have-spawned-an-economy-of-grifters/ar-AA1BWcw9 ]