The eaglets out in the San Bernardino National Forest, Southern California, have officially been named! A passionate, vibrant competition made for this thrilling announcement. The names were personally selected by students at Big Bear Elementary School, who enthusiastically engaged in the naming selection process! Eagle advocates around the country are clamoring for this remarkable opportunity! It all began back in 2023 when live stream viewers from around the world watched as Jackie and Shadow dutifully tended to their two eggs, helping their eaglets achieve viral fame.
Third, fourth, and fifth-grade kids at Big Bear Elementary School were involved in an exhilarating species-naming competition. They had been studying the regal bald eagle pair and their chicks, which made the experience all that more special. The eaglets hatched in early March, but the excitement turned bittersweet when one eaglet was confirmed to have died due to a winter storm.
Though the loss is unthinkable, we want to share that the eaglets are doing wonderfully. The surviving chicks are all named after their distinct and standout personalities. The larger eaglet has been given the name Sunny, and the smaller chick has been named Gizmo. High-definition live stream cameras Jackie and Shadow’s cameras are operated by the Friends of Big Bear Valley nonprofit. It’s why they released their candidacies in a Facebook post. The overwhelming interest in the competition, with more than 54,000 submissions from people around the world, showed tremendous enthusiasm from the public.
Friends of Big Bear Valley executive director Sandy Steers noted the teaching focus of the contest.
“All the students have been learning about Jackie and Shadow and their chicks. It was great to add a little reward for all their hard work.” – Sandy Steers
Each student who entered the winning names of Sunny and Gizmo will receive a certificate. This certificate makes an excellent token of appreciation for their contributions! And when I tell you that the buzz around the naming contest has really solidified this little community’s bond to these beautiful birds, that’s an understatement.
In their announcement, the Friends of Big Bear Valley thanked everyone who submitted name ideas. The eaglets’ journey has opened up an incredible opportunity to observe these birds in the wild. It has further ignited an educational movement across the community.
