Last week, necropsy results were released that provided long-awaited answers about the illness that led to the death of Jackie, the beloved Big Bear bald eagle, following weeks of intensive medical care.
As KTLA 5 in Los Angeles reports, Jackie became one of the most recognizable bald eagles in North America, with people following her and her mate, Shadow, through years of nesting seasons, raising their young eaglets, severe winter storms, and successful fledging.
But she was taken to Ojai Raptor Center on July 18 after she was rescued following a fight with two subadult bald eagles on the shores of Big Bear Lake. While Jackie didn’t suffer any injuries in the scuffle, she was suffering from an unknown ailment that left her unable to fly.
Millions of devastated and concerned fans who had been following along with Jackie’s life journey via the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) live nest cam found themselves checking for updates on her health as veterinarians raced to find the underlying cause of her illness. But despite valiant efforts to save her, Jackie died on August 10 following weeks of medical care.
Fans of the beloved bald eagle now have answers to the lingering questions about what happened to Jackie in the weeks leading up to her death.
Avian Influenza, a.k.a. Bird Flu
A necropsy was performed by veterinary pathologists at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and was released by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Ojai Raptor Center on Wednesday.
“Jackie’s necropsy confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) as the primary underlying cause of her decline,” said Steve Kubiski, Director of Disease Investigations at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “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.”
“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.
Jackie showed signs of chronic disease involving the ventriculus, the muscular portion of a bird’s stomach, commonly called the gizzard, according to the autopsy. The damaged and ulcerated tissue contributed to ongoing blood loss and her persistent severe anemia, CDFW said. It also allowed bacteria to enter her body, resulting in a serious secondary bacterial infection.
Severe inflammation and blood clot formation were also found in Jackie’s heart and several major blood vessels. “Follow-up testing showed that HPAI virus genetic material was present in several tissues throughout her body, including the ulcerated tissue in the ventriculus,” CDFW said.
Additional testing showed Jackie was negative for West Nile virus, and heavy metals, including lead, were within acceptable limits. Toxicology screening detected brodifacoum, an anticoagulant rodenticide, in her liver, as well as persistent environmental contaminants, CDFW said. The necropsy did not detect uncontrolled bleeding typically associated with anticoagulant rodenticide, so it was not identified as the primary cause of illness or death.
The Findings Can Help Inform the Care and Treatment of other Eagles and Wildlife in the Future
The center said that the findings have helped the team that cared for Jackie better understand the challenges she faced. “The necropsy results have helped connect many of the findings we were seeing throughout the eagle’s hospitalization,” said Chris Eksteen, Executive Director of Ojai Raptor Center. “We are grateful to the many veterinary specialists, laboratories, wildlife agencies and partner organizations who worked alongside our team to understand her illness and provide her with the best possible care. Caring for her was an extraordinary privilege for our entire team.”
Jackie’s remains were cremated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Eagle Repository, following established procedures to prevent the transmission of HPAI to wildlife or humans.
“The story of the Big Bear bald eagle reflects the powerful connection people feel to these iconic birds,” said CDFW Director Meghan Hertel. “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.”
HPAI is in an infectious disease that primarily affects birds and has been circulating in wild bird populations throughout the U.S. Waterfowl and shorebirds are natural hosts of avian influenza viruses, the Ojai Raptor Center said, while eagles and other raptors may be exposed through contact with infected birds or by consuming infected prey.
Jackie’s Legacy and Shadow’s Journey
The necropsy results can finally provide closure to the millions of fans who had been following along on Jackie’s life journey. While Jackie may no longer be with us, the legacy she leaves behind inspired millions to appreciate wildlife, conservation and the importance of protecting healthy ecosystems.
Life moves on as the season transitions in Big Bear Valley, as Jackie’s mate, Shadow, has fallen into a regular routine with another female eagle companion, Kaydee, in Big Bear Valley. It’s unknown at this point what the future holds for Shadow and Kaydee, but recent photos and video have revealed that they may soon welcome new bald eaglets into the world.
A new chapter begins, and the circle of life continues.
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Photo Credit: Petar Marshall / Shutterstock.com
