Jackie, the beloved eagle famous for her livestream overlooking Big Bear Lake, gained millions of fans alongside her mate, Shadow. When Jackie died in August, many questioned what led to her sudden passing.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently confirmed that Jackie succumbed to highly pathogenic avian influenza, widely recognized as bird flu. Although tests detected rat poison in her system, officials do not consider it a primary factor in her illness or death. Jackie was battling several diseases according to official reports.
In July, Jackie was discovered in a weakened state along Big Bear Lake’s shoreline. She was transferred to Ojai for medical care. Diagnosed with anemia, she received a blood transfusion from another eagle. Despite extensive tests, including scans and biopsies, experts were unable to pinpoint the cause of her sickness. Jackie died on August 10 at the Ojai Raptor Center.
Veterinary pathologists from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance conducted a necropsy. The primary factor in Jackie’s decline was identified as highly pathogenic avian influenza, which caused a severe stomach ulcer. Additionally, the necropsy revealed chronic disease in the ventriculus, known as gizzard, leading to blood loss, anemia, and a secondary bacterial infection.
A toxicology screening identified brodifacoum, a type of rat poison, in her liver along with other environmental contaminants. Nevertheless, Fish and Wildlife affirmed, “The necropsy did not find uncontrolled bleeding typically associated with anticoagulant rodenticide; hence, brodifacoum was not identified as the primary cause of illness or death.”
Other potential contributing factors, such as West Nile virus and heavy metals, were ruled out. “The necropsy results have helped connect many of the findings we were seeing throughout the eagle’s hospitalization,” stated Chris Eksteen, executive director of the Ojai Raptor Center.
Jackie’s remains were cremated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Eagle Repository to control the spread of bird flu. A muralist, Wes Abarca, worked on Jackie’s image for a memorial event at Bear Mountain Resort on October 3.
Fans unsuccessfully challenged the decision to send Jackie to the repository, established in the 1970s to supply Native American tribes with eagle parts for religious practices. They argued Jackie deserved unique consideration, possibly preservation through taxidermy, unlike most recovered bald and golden eagle carcasses, which are routinely sent to the repository.
The Fish and Wildlife Service and its National Eagle Repository have not issued further comments. Shadow, Jackie’s longtime mate, continues residing in Big Bear and appears to be healthy. Following Jackie’s death, Shadow reportedly interacted with a new female companion.