OLIVIA (Hyacinth Macaw)

Olivia, a Hyacinth Macaw—an endangered species valued at approximately $30,000—was believed to be female throughout his time living at Susanne Cochran's home (which was at least 10 years), but was identified as male after his death in December 2024. Susanne placed him and another male Hyacinth in a breeding cage together, outfitted with a nest box and minimal enrichment with the intention of breeding and selling the babies. She had even taken multiple deposits from customers for future babies (from 2 male birds???). Both Hyacinth Macaws were fully feathered before being paired but began plucking severely over time.

Olivia developed open wounds under his wings, which became chronically infected. According to statements made by Susanne, these infections were related to being handled. The vet tested his wounds and found staph and other infections originating from humans, indicating very poor hygiene or improper medical handling at Susanne’s residence. Susanne also told staff that medications were inconsistently administered and that her husband frequently removed Olivia’s protective cone, interfering with the healing process.

The Store Manager became aware of Olivia’s death first, because Susanne had asked her if she could pick up Olivia’s body from the vet while transporting another parrot for an unrelated vet appointment. Susanne also instructed the store manager, over the phone, to ensure the clinic refunded her for the histopathology she had declined as part of the necropsy.

The store manager discussed Olivia's death with some coworkers and one of them approached Susanne about it. Susanne appeared upset that staff had learned of Olivia’s death and questioned how they knew.

Olivia died under unclear circumstances. Susanne eventually told staff the cause was a “clogged artery in her wing" or "a stroke" or some variation of the two, but the veterinarian had discussed Olivia's death with the store manager when she picked up the body, and that first hand account was very different. The vet told the store manager that she found some cardiovascular disease, but not to a degree that would have been detectable in the imaging performed several months prior. The vet noted that a heart attack or stroke were a possible causes but emphasized there was no conclusive evidence of that, and that the precise cause of death could not be definitively determined.

The surviving male Hyacinth that was housed with Olivia remained severely plucked (pictured below in February 2025), which may indicate ongoing stress or other unresolved welfare concerns.

Additionally, PACFA (Pet Animal Care Facilities Act), which oversees parrot breeding and care facilities in Colorado, requires that the death of any endangered species be reported. Susanne, as a PACFA-regulated operator, was obligated to notify the agency of Olivia’s death. To our knowledge, no such report was made, raising further concerns about regulatory compliance and proper oversight.

Why Histopathology Was Essential in Olivia’s Case:
Histopathology is the microscopic examination of tissue samples taken during a necropsy (animal autopsy). It allows a veterinary pathologist to study cells and tissues in detail, providing critical information that cannot always be seen with the naked eye. This can include signs of internal infection, chronic disease, organ failure, cancer, or other underlying conditions that may have contributed to an animal’s decline or death.

In the case of Olivia—a Hyacinth Macaw, an endangered species worth an estimated $30,000—histopathology was especially important for several reasons:

Understanding the true cause of death: Olivia had a history of recurring infections and chronic wounds. Without histopathology, there is no definitive way to determine whether he died from complications related to those issues or from another underlying condition.

Protecting other birds: Olivia had been housed closely with another rare Hyacinth Macaw. A thorough postmortem including histopathology could have identified any transmissible disease or environmental contributors, helping to protect the health of the surviving bird and others in the collection.

Responsible breeding practices: Olivia was housed in a breeding setup, despite his sex never having been confirmed during his lifetime. In any breeding program—particularly one involving endangered, high-value species—full diagnostic follow-up after a death is considered best practice. It provides vital information about genetic, reproductive, or husbandry-related concerns that may affect breeding decisions and animal welfare.

Conservation and ethical stewardship: When working with endangered species, every individual is important. Declining histopathology in such a case means losing a valuable opportunity to gather data that could inform improved care and outcomes for the species as a whole.

While owners may sometimes choose to forgo histopathology for personal or financial reasons, doing so in a case involving a rare, expensive, and chronically ill bird in a breeding environment raises valid concerns from a veterinary, ethical, and conservation standpoint.

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