Avian flu killed Jackie, the Fawnskin bald eagle, necropsy shows

Jackie, the Fawnskin bald eagle followed by people around the world, died Aug. 9 of highly pathogenic avian influenza, known as HPAI, according to necropsy results the California Department of Fish and Wildlife released Oct. 14.^[1] She was 14. The finding matters in Big Bear Valley because officials are now asking residents to keep pets leashed, stay away from the Fawnskin nest tree and take down bird feeders to help protect other wild birds.^[1]

What the necropsy found

"Jackie's necropsy confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as the primary underlying cause of her decline," said Steve Kubiski, director of disease investigations for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.^[1]

Kubiski said in a statement released by Fish and Wildlife that it was "an uncommon presentation of the virus." The infection caused a severe stomach ulcer that led to persistent internal bleeding, anemia and bacterial sepsis.^[1]

Veterinarians could not isolate the virus in tests while Jackie was alive. Specialized testing after her death confirmed it was HPAI, according to the Ojai Raptor Center.^[1]

Other test results were less central. Brodifacoum, an anticoagulant rodent poison, was detected in her liver. Because she did not show the uncontrolled bleeding associated with that poison, it was not identified as a primary cause of her illness or death.^[1] Heavy metals, including lead, were at acceptable levels, and contaminants including PCBs and DDE, a breakdown product of the pesticide DDT, were also present in her liver.^[1]

Jackie's final weeks

Jackie was rescued from the shore of Big Bear Lake and taken to the Ojai Raptor Center on July 18.^[1] She arrived underweight, quiet but alert and significantly dehydrated.^[1] Center staff said her care included periods of stabilization and cautious improvement followed by serious setbacks.^[1]

Her remains had been sent to the National Eagle Repository. Once the necropsy found HPAI, they were immediately cremated under U.S. Fish and Wildlife policy.^[1]

"We are grateful to the many veterinary specialists, laboratories, wildlife agencies and partner organizations who worked alongside our team to understand her illness and provide her with the best possible care," said Chris Eksteen, executive director of the Ojai Raptor Center.^[1]

What it means for Shadow and the eaglets

The results led some followers of Jackie and her family to worry about her mate, Shadow, and the couple's latest eaglets, Sandy and Luna. Fish and Wildlife representatives said they do not appear to have been infected.^[1]

Jenny Voisard, a spokesperson for Friends of Big Bear Valley, said in a Facebook statement that the incubation period for HPAI is over and that Shadow and Kaydee, an eagle starting to bond with Shadow, show no signs of sickness.^[1] Sandy and Luna have fledged and did not appear ill before leaving the area.^[1]

The sources for this account are Fish and Wildlife, the Ojai Raptor Center and Friends of Big Bear Valley. None addressed the risk to other local birds, pets or people beyond the precautions listed below.

What residents are being asked to do

According to Fish and Wildlife and Friends of Big Bear Valley, residents can help keep wild birds safe from avian flu and poisoning by taking these steps:^[1]

• Keep pets leashed.
• Stay away from the Fawnskin nest tree.
• Take down bird feeders.
• Do not use rodenticides and other harmful chemicals that can poison raptors that eat contaminated prey.

Anyone who finds a sick or dead wild bird can report it to the Department of Fish and Wildlife at 877-968-2473.^[1]