Jackie, the beloved bald eagle, whose cause of death has been revealed two months after her passing in August, had captivated millions online via a livestream of her aerie overlooking Big Bear Lake, which she shared with her mate, Shadow. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Jackie's cause of death on Wednesday, October 14, revealing that she died from highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu.
Steve Kubiski, Director of Disease Investigations at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, who performed the necropsy, said, "Jackie's necropsy confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) as the primary underlying cause of her decline." Kubiski determined that the infection caused a severe ulcer in her stomach, leading to persistent internal bleeding, anaemia, and the development of bacterial sepsis.
Testing also revealed rat poison in her system, but officials ruled it out as the primary cause of her illness or death, noting that she had been suffering from multiple ailments. Jackie died after a three-week health scare on August 10, 2026, having lived for 14 years and raising multiple eaglets in Big Bear Lake with Shadow.
Hatched from an egg in 2012 near Big Bear Lake, California, she is survived by Shadow and her last two chicks, Luna and Sandy, who was born in March. According to the Fish and Wildlife department's statement, Shadow is reportedly in good health and remains in Big Bear.
Wildlife conservationists and ornithologists across the globe expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the iconic bird that served as an ambassador for her species. Authorities continue to monitor the local ecosystem to ensure other wildlife populations remain safe from potential seasonal outbreaks.