Bird flu identified as primary cause of death for Big Bear bald eagle Jackie
California wildlife officials said highly pathogenic avian influenza was the main factor in the decline and death of the bald eagle known as Jackie, whose remains were cremated to prevent disease spread.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Wednesday that the bald eagle known as Jackie died from highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu. While testing also detected the anticoagulant rodenticide brodifacoum in her liver, officials said the poison was not the primary cause of her illness or death. Jackie had been suffering from multiple chronic conditions, including a disease of the gizzard that contributed to anemia, blood loss and a secondary bacterial infection. The necropsy, performed by veterinary pathologists from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, identified the influenza infection as the “primary underlying cause of her decline” and noted it caused a severe stomach ulcer.
In July, the eagle was found weak on the shoreline of Big Bear Lake and was taken to the Ojai Raptor Center for treatment, where she received a blood transfusion after being diagnosed with anemia. Despite extensive scans and biopses, the cause of her illness remained unclear until the necropsy results were released. The department also ruled out West Nile virus and heavy metals as contributing factors.
"The necropsy did not find uncontrolled bleeding typically associated with anticoagulant rodenticide; therefore, brodifacoum was not identified as the primary cause of illness or death," the agency said.
"The necropsy results have helped connect many of the findings we were seeing throughout the eagle’s hospitalization," said 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 prevent further spread of the virus. The repository, established in the 1970s, provides eagle parts for religious use by federally recognized Native American tribes. Officials did not respond to a request for comment on the handling of the remains.