One of the Baby Bald Eagles from Big Bear Died During Weekend Storm

One of the two baby bald eagles which thousands of people have watched via livestream since it hatched, has died.

The two eaglets were named Cookie and Simba by local schoolchildren, and Monday it was reported that Cookie had died, likely due to hypothermia from a weekend storm that brought a ton of snow to Big Bear Lake.

Friends of Big Bear Valley, who operate the 24/7 nest cam for the eagles, said that unfortunately only 50% of bald eagles survive their first year of life in the wild.

One of the main issues has to do with the eaglets growing so quickly that they are no longer able to be fully covered by their parents in the nest, but they have not yet grown all their weatherproof feathers.

The parents, Jackie and Shadow, continue to care for the one 6-week old eaglet while the body of the other lays in the nest. Officials say the eagles will more than likely cover the dead bird with more nesting as they continue to try and survive the cold weather.

R.I.P.