Jackie the celebrity bald eagle died of bird flu, California officials confirm

According to a report by Iris Kwok for the Los Angeles Times, the mysterious death of Big Bear Lake’s beloved celebrity bald eagle, Jackie, has finally been explained. Known for capturing the hearts of millions alongside her mate, Shadow, through a popular nest livestream, Jackie’s sudden decline in health sparked widespread concern before she ultimately passed away in August.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed on Wednesday that the primary cause of Jackie’s death was highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu. While a toxicology screen detected rodenticide in her system, state wildlife officials concluded it was not the main reason for her death. Instead, a post-mortem examination revealed she was battling several overlapping medical conditions.

Jackie was first rescued in July after being found weakened and unkempt near the Big Bear Lake shore. She was transported to the Ojai Raptor Center for emergency care, where diagnostics showed severe anemia that required a blood transfusion from a donor eagle. Despite extensive imaging and biopsies, medical experts were initially unable to pinpoint the underlying cause of her illness. She passed away on August 10 while receiving care at the Ojai facility.


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A necropsy was subsequently performed by veterinary pathologists at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, coordinated jointly with the Ojai Raptor Center and the state wildlife department.

The examination identified bird flu as the “primary underlying cause of her decline,” determining that the viral infection had triggered a severe stomach ulcer.

Pathologists also noted chronic disease in her ventriculus (gizzard), which had caused internal bleeding, severe anemia, and a critical secondary bacterial infection. While testing revealed the anticoagulant rat poison brodifacoum and other persistent environmental toxins in her liver, officials clarified the rodenticide's impact.

“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,” Fish and Wildlife noted in its official release.

Additionally, investigators ruled out heavy metal toxicity and West Nile virus as contributing factors.

Reflecting on the final report, Chris Eksteen, executive director of the Ojai Raptor Center, stated, “The necropsy results have helped connect many of the findings we were seeing throughout the eagle’s hospitalization.”

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To manage biosecurity risks and eliminate the threat of spreading avian influenza, Jackie’s remains were cremated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Eagle Repository, state officials confirmed.

This outcome followed an effort by dedicated fans who lobbied against sending Jackie to the repository, a federally mandated facility created in the 1970s to distribute eagle feathers and remains to enrolled Native American tribe members for ceremonial use. Supporters argued that the famed eagle deserved an exception to the standard national protocol for recovered eagle carcasses, suggesting she instead be preserved through taxidermy.

Representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Eagle Repository did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, Jackie’s long-term nesting partner, Shadow, appears in good health and remains in the Big Bear area. State wildlife officials noted that just days after Jackie’s passing, Shadow was observed alongside a new female eagle.