What killed Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle: multiple diseases, with rat poison found

Officials have released the cause of death for Jackie, Big Bear's beloved bald eagle: she had been suffering from multiple diseases, and while testing found rat poison in her system, officials do not believe it was the primary cause of her illness or death.^[1] Details were released on a Wednesday, after she died in August following a mysterious illness.^[1] For Big Bear Valley residents who followed her story, the findings answer the central question that swirled after her death, and they confirm that her longtime mate, Shadow, is still here and appears healthy.^[1]

What officials found

According to the Los Angeles Times, which reported the findings, testing revealed that rat poison was in Jackie's system. Officials "do not believe it to be the primary cause of her illness or death."^[1] Instead, the department said Jackie had been suffering from multiple diseases.^[1]

The material available to Big Bear News does not name the specific diseases, identify the poison, or say how much was present. Those details would help explain how the poison and the illnesses may have interacted.

How the story unfolded

Jackie's decline became public in July, when the eagle was found weak and disheveled on the shoreline of Big Bear Lake.^[1] She died in August after what the Times described as a mysterious illness, and questions swirled about what had happened until officials shared their findings.^[1]

The Times reported that after what it called a rollercoaster year, fans gathered in Big Bear to say goodbye to the eagle who brought them together.^[1]

Why Jackie mattered to the valley

Jackie amassed millions of devoted fans through a nonstop livestream of the aerie overlooking Big Bear Lake that she shared with Shadow.^[1] The livestream put the valley's eagles in front of a worldwide audience, and her illness and death were followed closely by people well beyond Big Bear.

What about Shadow

Fish and Wildlife said Shadow, Jackie's longtime mate, remains in Big Bear and appears to be healthy.^[1] The agency's statement, as relayed by the Times, did not say what comes next for the nest or the livestream, and Big Bear News has no sourced information on that question yet.

The Times headline on its report also noted that Jackie has been cremated.^[1]