After Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle's health battle that had the world following along, fans mourned the death of the bird who lived in California back in August. But what caused the eagle's passing?
We have an answer, per Steve Kubiski, who's the Director of Disease Investigations at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
According to his statement: "Jackie's necropsy confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) as the primary underlying cause of her decline. In an uncommon presentation of the virus, the infection caused a severe ulcer in her stomach that led to persistent internal bleeding, anemia, and the development of bacterial sepsis."
What is Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza?
Here's more from the Department of Fish and Wildlife in California:
HPAI is an infectious disease that
primarily affects birds and has been circulating in wild bird populations throughout the United States. Waterfowl and shorebirds are natural hosts of avian influenza viruses, while eagles and other raptors may be exposed through contact with infected birds or by consuming infected prey.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Jackie the Big Bear bald eagle cause of death: Update reveals what happened
