Big Bear bald eagle Jackie's cause of death revealed
The viral bald eagle known as Jackie, who lived in California's Big Bear Valley, died of multiple causes, according to a new necropsy report.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife released the necropsy results this week in partnership with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and Ojai Raptor Center after testing of Patient 26-519, more commonly known as Jackie, was completed.
The necropsy found that Jackie had multiple conditions, including a type of infectious avian flu. She died in August following an injury sustained in a fight with other birds.
"Jackie's necropsy confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) as the primary underlying cause of her decline," Steve Kubiski, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's director of disease investigations, said in a statement. "In an uncommon presentation of the virus, the infection caused a severe ulcer in her stomach that led to persistent internal bleeding, anemia, and the development of bacterial sepsis."
According to the necropsy report, Jackie's chronic condition led to secondary bacterial infection, severe inflammation and the development of blood clots. Toxicology testing also revealed that Jackie had environmental contaminants and traces of a rodenticide called brodifacoum in her liver.
"Together, the findings showed that Jackie was suffering from multiple severe and interconnected disease processes that had been developing over time and ultimately led to her decline and death," CDFW said.
The CDFW also noted that Jackie's remains were cremated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Eagle Repository.
"We're grateful to everyone who cared for her and worked to support her well-being. Understanding the results of these tests is an important part of learning from this case and can help inform the care and treatment of other eagles and wildlife in the future," CDFW Director Meghan Hertel said in a statement.
Jackie was one-half of the bald eagle duo that went viral and gained worldwide popularity in 2023. She and her partner, Shadow, were the stars of a San Bernardino National Forest livestream operated by the nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley. They welcomed five eaglets together.
Shadow continues to live in Big Bear Valley, according to CDFW. In recent months, Friends of Big Bear Valley noted he has been joined by another female eagle known as KD1, or "Katie" or "Kaydee" to fans.
