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.
