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USA Today
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Jackie and Shadow's eaglets at risk from Fourth of July fireworks, petition says
The California group that oversees a famous eagle family is warning officials about the danger fireworks could cause the new eaglets ahead of Fourth of July. Nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley, which runs a 24-hour live feed monitoring the eagles, expressed concerns about an upcoming fireworks display in Big Bear Lake, California. In a Facebook post Monday, June 30, the group emphasized the impact that fireworks have on the environment and wildlife, including sister eaglets Gizmo and Sunny and their parents Jackie and Shadow. The organization also highlighted a petition with more than 30,000 signatures calling for the outright cancelation of the July 4 firework show to protect the family and other wildlife. "The loud and frightening explosions of fireworks can spook [eagles], causing them to flee their nests, potentially into situations fraught with danger," the petition said. "This not only jeopardizes their immediate safety but could also lead to them leaving the area permanently, which would be a tragic loss for our community." The Friends of Big Bear Valley explained that Sunny and Gizmo are specifically at risk after just learning to fly. "Shadow and Jackie leaving at this time of training and growth for Sunny and Gizmo could be especially devastating to the juveniles' long and short-term development and chances of survival," Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote on Facebook. "Eagles and especially juveniles have very poor night vision and being startled into flight at night is very dangerous." Their petition added that eagles don't naturally fly after dark. "We will be holding high hope for the safety of Jackie, Shadow, Sunny and Gizmo and all the rest of nature's beautiful creatures," Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote. "Please join me in hoping for their safety and protection." Firework show to continue amid concerns Despite concerns for wildlife, Visit Big Bear will continue to host its 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular in the city. Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott emphasized that its role is to balance and prioritize tradition, community celebration, wildlife stewardship and the tourism-driven local economy "The board looked at what that firework show [brought] to support our local businesses, our restaurants, our lodging and just overall jobs in our community," Scott told the Palm Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network. The town generally attracts 100,000 visitors for the Fourth of July and numerous community organizations are involved in the 4th of July Spectacular, according to Scott. He added that local partners and government agencies help organize the fireworks shows with "wildlife and fire safety in mind." "What makes Big Bear Lake a special place is our rich, diverse ecosystem and obviously our resident bald eagles have become the iconic symbol of that," Scott said. "What our organization strives to look at is that they're a part of a larger natural balance that we work hard to respect year-round and we do promote environmental education and stewardship and that is also very important to us. The co-existence of the fireworks and the eagles is not a new phenomenon." Scott described two previous instances in which he said they've worked with Friends of Big Bear Valley: Canceling Memorial Day fireworks in 2022 and doing a drone show instead of fireworks for Labor Day in 2023. "I believe that the board and the community will take these concerns that are presented from outside our community under advisement," Scott said in response to whether any changes would be made to future fireworks displays in the area. Jackie and Shadow disappeared for days in previous years Friends of Big Bear Valley attached a presentation to their Facebook post that documented previous instances of how the eagles have responded to fireworks. Following Fourth of July fireworks in 2022, Jackie and Shadow weren't seen or heard for six days. The mating pair were also not seen or heard for three days after Fourth of July fireworks the following year, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service echoed Friends of Big Bear Valley over how fireworks can cause wildlife to flee, "ending up in unexpected areas or roadways, flying into buildings and other obstacles." Who are Sunny and Gizmo? Sunny and Gizmo were two of three hatchlings born to Jackie and Shadow in March 2025. A third eaglet, named Misty in honor of a former volunteer, died after a snowstorm hit the area. But Jackie and Shadow have been able to make sure Sunny and Gizmo are healthy and happy. Both sisters completed their first flights last month. Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at pbarraza@ Anthony Robledo covers national trending news at USA TODAY. Reach him at arobledo@
CBS News
07-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
Big Bear eagle Gizmo takes first flight from nest in California, joining sister Sunny after weeks of anticipation
Big Bear eagles Jackie and Shadow are officially empty nesters after their second eaglet took flight from the comfort of the nest on Saturday. Around 8:27 a.m., the second eaglet, Gizmo, could be seen on the Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam standing on a branch before beginning to flap her wings and soar off into the air. Her first attempt seemed unsuccessful, as she quickly latched back onto a branch, but she tried again successfully a few seconds later. The flight didn't seem to last long. Gizmo quickly disappeared from the main feed provided by Friends of Big Bear Valley, but the Wide Angle Camera showed what appeared to be Gizmo located on another tree moments later. Gizmo, the daughter of Jackie and Shadow and sister of Sunny, took a brief first flight on Saturday morning. Friends of Big Bear Valley She appeared to be very active, moving around the nest quite a bit before finally flying off. A few days ago on Monday, her sister Sunny took her first flight after jumping off a branch. The eaglets who were born in March and are nearly 13 weeks old have been practicing for several days. They could be seen flapping their wings and jumping from one branch to another, getting ready for their big moment. Gizmo took flight at 89 days old, after some "intense wingersizing sessions yesterday on the High Perch," Friends of Big Bear Valley wrote on Facebook. FOBBV Executive Director Sandy Steers told KCAL News on Monday that although it is unclear where Sunny and Gizmo will go, young eagles tend to return to the nest relatively soon after their first flight. "By fall, they will take off on their own. Since they aren't banded, we will have no way to know if they stay together, or for how long," FOBBV posted on Facebook. "Fledge watch" began around May 13, as bald eagles are usually between 10 to 12 weeks old when they prepare to leave the nest. Gizmo and Sunny will remain in the habitat for one to three months after fledging, and FOBBV said they will likely be in and out of the nest during this time. Sunny has continued to visit the nest since her first flight, eating and sleeping at home.
India.com
06-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
What is Vijay Mallya's net worth after banks recovered Rs 14000 crore? He reveals secrets foreign assets, says...
Vijay Mallya (File) Fugitive business tycoon Vijay Mallya was once ranked among the wealthiest individuals in India but his once-vast fortune has significantly dwindled after scores of his properties were sold off by banks to recover due owed by Mallya. But does Vijay Mallya still own any expensive, lavish properties or assets, and what is his current net worth after nearly Rs 14,000 crore were recovered from by the banks? Vijay Mallya breaks silence after 9 years In a rare interview with YouTuber Raj Shamani, Vijay Mallya broke his silence after nearly nine years, answering questions ranging from loans, fleeing from India, to cricket, and his property. Asked about a popular rumor that he owns properties in over 20 countries, Mallya refuted the claim, calling it 'exaggerated'. 'It has been said about me that I have property in about 20 different countries. This is an exaggerated statement. I have property in only a few countries, not 20. I have property in England, France and America,' Vijay Mallya claimed. Mallya also revealed that he sold his lavish house in South Africa which he had purchased when he operating his Kingfisher liquor business in the country. 'I sold that house after the business was shut.' The fugitive liquor baron, who currently resides in the United Kingdom, said he has purchased a house in France, which was bought via his holding company Gizmo. Vijay Mallya net worth Interestingly, Vijay Mallya had a net worth of around $750 million in 2013, according to Forbes, but as a per a July 2022 report by the Independent UK, the same had ballooned to nearly $1.2 billion, despite the fugitive tycoon losing all his properties in India, which were sold by banks to recover their loans. According to media reports, banks have recovered Rs 14,000 crore so far from Vijay Mallya by auctioning his uber-expensive properties spread across the country. In 2021, Mallya's Kingfisher House in Vile Parle, Mumbai was auctioned for Rs 52.55 crore, while a luxury villa he owned in Goa was sold for Rs 73 crore.
USA Today
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
First flight! Watch as baby eaglet takes off from Jackie and Shadow's nest
First flight! Watch as baby eaglet takes off from Jackie and Shadow's nest Show Caption Hide Caption Watch Sunny, one of Jackie and Shadow's eaglets, soars from the nest A livestream caught Sunny flying from the nest. Her and her sibling Gizmo hatched back in March. Celebrity bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow experienced a parental milestone after one of their new baby eaglets left the nest and took their first flight Monday, June 2. Sister eaglets Sunny and Gizmo were recently trained for their big send off after hatching in their parents' nest in March in Southern California's Big Bear Valley, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley, the non-profit organization that runs a 24-hour live feed monitoring the famous family. Soon after 10:45 am local time, Sunny set off to the sky for the first time, kicking off a new era of her life, the organization confirmed on Facebook. Watch the moment Sunny takes flight "She put up her wings to catch the wind and then jumped up and let those beautiful wings carry her. She circled back around toward Shadow and Jackie's favorite roost tree," the Facebook post reads. "And a bit later, our awesome camera operators were able to find Sunny, perching near the top of the roost tree." It's unclear whether Sunny will return to the nest, though Jackie and Shadow's prior eaglets have done so, the group said. The group said it is thrilled for Sunny but sad livestream viewers may not see her as often anymore. What about Gizmo? Sunny's sister Gizmo has not yet left the nest, though her time may be coming. Friends of Big Bear Valley reported that Gizmo was right beside her sister during the flight, adding "she looked completely fascinated and kept her eyes on Sunny flying away from the nest." "Gizmo probably now has a lot to think about," the non-profit wrote. Last month, the organization said the siblings were preparing to soar at 10 weeks old. Jackie and Shadow laid out larger sticks around the nest as as outer guardrails and training aids during their kid's wing developmental process, known as fledge. Who are Sunny and Gizmo? Sunny and Gizmo were two of three hatchlings born to Jackie and Shadow in March 2025. A third eaglet, named Misty in honor of a former volunteer, died after a snowstorm hit the area. But Jackie and Shadow have been able to make sure Sunny and Gizmo are healthy and happy. Last month, Friends of Big Bear Valley launched a contest titled FledgeFest 2025 where fans could predict exactly when Sunny and Gizmo would each fly. USA TODAY has reached out to see if a contest winner has been declared and will receive an honorary certificate.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gender reveal: One of the Big Bear bald eaglets is a girl, experts say
The world has watched bald eaglets Sunny and Gizmo grow up at their nest at Big Bear Lake for the past 12 weeks, but their genders have remained a mystery, until now. It is notoriously difficult to identity the sexes of bald eaglet chicks when young, but the avian experts who operate the world-famous, 24-hour live video feed of the nest have announced they are confident that one of the chicks is female. "At this point, from the size compared to Shadow, the ankle size and general behavior, we are pretty sure that Gizmo is a girl," Friends of Big Bear Valley Executive Director Sandy Steers wrote in an update posted to social media. "Her obsession with food is also a sign," Steers added. More: Fledge watch: Big Bear bald eaglets Sunny and Gizmo prepare to take first flights Sunny's sex remains unknown for the time being. The sibling is four days older than Gizmo. "For Sunny, the jury is still out," Steers said. "With more observation and hopefully some vocalization that can be heard... we hope to be more positive about Sunny's gender in the next few days." "Fledge watch" at the Big Bear bald eagle nest is officially underway. The young apex predators have been seen exercising their wings and getting a feel for the wind in recent weeks in preparation for their first excursions out of their nest. More: When will the Big Bear bald eaglets get their iconic white heads, leave the nest? Even after they take to the sky, Sunny and Gizmo are expected to remain close to home for a month or two as they continue honing the skills they will need to survive on their own, according to experts. After that, they will head off to establish new homes of their own, potentially hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Admirers of Jackie, Shadow and the chicks are invited to join FOBBV for a "fan party" next month in Big Bear Lake. The gathering of eagle-eyed fans will take place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at Pine Knot Road and Village Drive, organizers said. It will be part of a two-day event dubbed "Adventure Days" on June 21 and 22, which invites guests to join in a host of free outdoor activities ranging from bird watching and flower hikes to boating and Jeep tours, according to FOBBV. All planned activities are free, however, registration for them each day is required and spots may fill up, the group said in a statement. "Our aim is to promote synchronicity between our unique Big Bear Valley natural mountain forest environment and our local business community in ways that allow both to thrive," FOBBV added. More information is available on the FOBBV website at This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Gender reveal: One of the Big Bear bald eaglets is a girl, experts say
