Death of Big Bear’s Celebrity Eagle Jackie Due to Avian Influenza

Jackie, an eagle widely admired through a live stream of her nest at Big Bear Lake alongside her mate Shadow, passed away in August. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed that she succumbed to highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu. Although traces of rat poison were detected in her system, the authorities don’t consider it the primary cause of her illness or demise. Jackie was afflicted with multiple diseases, revealed in the department’s announcement.

In July, Jackie, found weak and disheveled near Big Bear Lake’s shore, was taken to Ojai for medical care. She was diagnosed with anemia and received a blood transfusion from another eagle. Despite extensive testing, including scans and biopsies, the root of her illness remained elusive. She died on August 10 while under treatment at the Ojai Raptor Center.

Veterinary pathologists from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance conducted a necropsy. The findings indicated that avian influenza was the primary cause, with the infection leading to a severe stomach ulcer. Jackie also displayed signs of chronic disease affecting her ventriculus, or gizzard, which contributed to blood loss, anemia, and a secondary bacterial infection. Toxicology revealed brodifacoum, a type of rat poison, in her liver, alongside other environmental toxins.

Despite this, the necropsy didn’t show bleeding commonly linked to anticoagulant rodenticides, thus brodifacoum was not deemed the main cause of illness or death. Other factors such as West Nile virus and heavy metals were also excluded. Chris Eksteen, executive director of the Ojai Raptor Center, noted that the necropsy results clarified many observations made during Jackie’s hospitalization.

To prevent further spread of bird flu, Jackie’s remains were cremated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Eagle Repository. The facility, established in the 1970s, provides eagle parts for religious use to federally recognized Native American tribes. Jackie’s admirers had initially opposed transferring her to the repository, advocating for alternative methods such as taxidermy.

The Fish and Wildlife Service and its repository have yet to provide further commentary. Meanwhile, Jackie’s mate, Shadow, continues to inhabit Big Bear. Reports indicate his good health, and he has been observed with another female, shortly after Jackie’s passing.