Animal Briefs Jackie and Shadow's New Beginning; Condor Returns to the Redwoods

Second Clutch Brings Fresh Hope

In the snowy heights of Big Bear, celebrity bald eagles Jackie and Shadow refused to let tragedy define their season. After ravens raided their first clutch in late January, the devoted pair built anew, with Jackie laying a fresh egg on February 24 and a second on February 27.

Fans around the world tuned into the live cam watched the eagles trade incubation duties with precision, keeping their two precious eggs warm through winter storms. As they await potential hatching in April, this resilient couple's story has been widely followed.

Condors Return to the Redwoods

High in the misty canopy of an ancient redwood in Humboldt County, a pair of California condors named A0 (Ney-gem' 'Ne-chween-kah) and A1 (Hlow Hoo-let) have quietly achieved something extraordinary. Released into the wild by the Yurok Tribe and partners in 2022 as part of a long restoration effort, these massive birds-once teetering on the brink of extinction-have formed a devoted pair.

Their GPS-tracked movements reveal tender incubation shifts over what biologists believe is the region's first wild condor egg in more than 100 years, laid in early February. As the egg nears the halfway mark of its 56-58 day incubation, hope soars for a chick that could herald the return of these majestic scavengers to Northern California's skies, a testament to persistence and partnership in healing the land.

Mama Bear Rose's Cozy Den

Bear Triplets Born Beneath a Tahoe Cabin

In the snowy quiet beneath a Lake Tahoe homeowner's cabin crawlspace, a black bear known as Rose surprised everyone by giving birth to three tiny cubs-Echo, Oakley, and Storm-right in the dead of winter. The Bear League's CubCam'26 captured heartwarming footage of the new family snuggling together, with Rose fiercely protective as she nurses her newborns. A nonprofit is now collaborating with the understanding homeowner to ensure the bears remain undisturbed until spring thaw around April, when the cubs will be ready to explore the forest. This unexpected urban-wildlife encounter has warmed hearts statewide, reminding everyone that nature finds a way-even in the most surprising places.

Lone Wolf Reaches LA County After 100 Years

A young female gray wolf named BEY03F, born in 2023 near Plumas County, embarked on an epic journey of over 500 miles-crossing rugged mountains, vast deserts, and busy highways-in search of a mate and new territory.

In early February 2026, her GPS collar pinged her arrival in northwestern Los Angeles County near Neenach, marking the first documented gray wolf sighting in the LA region in nearly a century. Once eradicated from California in the 1920s, wolves are slowly reclaiming their historic range, and this bold explorer's trek signals a promising rebound for the species amid careful conservation efforts.

Sea Lions' Second Chance

Animal Briefs Jackie and Shadow's New Beginning; Condor Returns to the Redwoods

Four Flippered Friends Return to the Waves

At SeaWorld San Diego's rescue center, four rehabilitated California sea lions-nursed back to health after battling illness or injury-made a triumphant return to the Pacific in early 2026, marking the facility's first successful release of the year.

After expert veterinary care and plenty of fish-fueled recovery time, the team watched as the sea lions splashed back into their ocean home, strong and ready to thrive. These marine mammal success stories highlight ongoing efforts to protect California's coastal wildlife, turning vulnerable pups into healthy adults swimming free once more.

Wildlife Crossing

Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing Nears Completion

Over the roaring traffic of the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills, a monumental structure rises-the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, set to become the world's largest of its kind by late 2026.

With final funding secured in early February, construction pushes forward on the 200-foot-wide vegetated overpass designed to safely connect fragmented habitats for mountain lions, coyotes, deer, and countless other species. Inspired by the late philanthropist Wallis Annenberg, this $90+ million project promises to reduce deadly road crossings and help Southern California's wildlife roam freely once more, turning a deadly barrier into a lifeline for biodiversity.