Harvey eyes one of his trainers.
Harvey is one of the beloved animals in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Wildlife Education Department. He is a hyacinth macaw who has been with us for 10 years, and he is estimated to be approximately 36 years old. Harvey serves as an animal ambassador, teaching people about macaws and their plight for existence.
In April, Harvey’s trainers noticed that he was favoring his right leg. He was not using it as much as his left leg when he would walk or climb. Harvey was brought to the Safari Park’s Harter Veterinary Medical Clinic for an exam and evaluation. We anesthetized Harvey, performed an exam, drew a blood sample, and took radiographs of his right leg. There were no obvious abnormalities found, so it was felt that he may have sprained or strained his leg. He was sent back to his keepers for cage rest and anti-inflammatory medication.
The following month, Harvey stopped using his right foot to perch. His appetite and attitude were normal. He was returned to the clinic for a recheck exam and radiographs. Upon exam, Harvey’s right leg had a decreased range of motion compared to his exam the previous month, a mass was palpated within his right thigh, and his radiographs revealed some soft-tissue swelling in the area. The veterinarian then aspirated the swelling, with a syringe and needle, and submitted the sample to our laboratory for evaluation.
The report was less than hopeful. The results came back as “malignant sarcoma,” a form of cancer. Many discussions followed between our veterinary staff, Harvey’s trainers, and curatorial staff. Harvey’s options ranged from surgical amputation of his leg to multiple radiation treatments. We weren’t even sure the radiation treatments would work on a macaw!
An anesthetized Harvey receives radiation treatment at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Sorrento Valley.
In the meantime, our veterinary staff consulted with outside colleagues for help with Harvey’s case. The oncology department at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Sorrento Valley was contacted and was willing to help with radiation treatments, as we do not have that capability here at the Safari Park. Harvey’s caretakers ultimately decided to try the radiation treatments. His first exam would entail having a CT scan done and a more definitive biopsy. From these results, we would be able to get a better sense of his prognosis and develop an optimal plan for treatment.
For four weeks, we transported Harvey to the Veterinary Specialty Hospital for radiation treatments and took measurements of the leg mass so that we would be aware if it changed in size. He did not seem to experience any side effects from the treatment except for some dry skin. Over the course of his treatment, Harvey went from not using his foot at all to placing his foot back on his perch and being able to use his right foot to pick up a nut!
We are now three months post-treatment. While we do not know how long these results will last, Harvey’s keepers report that he is continuing to do well and has a great attitude and appetite. His recent recheck exam revealed that the mass in his right leg has stabilized and has not grown in size.
Carrie Cramer is a senior registered veterinary technician at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
I so enjoy reading about the great work that’s done in our veterinary clinic. We have some of the most well-cared for animals in the world! Thanks to you and all my clinical coworkers for the great work you do keeping our animals healthy and happy.
This is heartwarming indeed. Thank you for the great work you are doing:
Sylvia,
Thank you for being the first to reply to Harvey’s blog. (Other than Valerie, but we work together!) This is my first blog, so I am excited to read your replies.
Carrie
Bless you Harvey. God Speed.
I love how the small, large, young or old, and also not always the most popular animals all get equal quality medical care! All are considered precious and treated with the best skill and knowledge available. Thank you for caring for them ALL!
Yes Mae, it doesn’t matter if it’s an elephant or a parrot, we treat all of the animals to the best of our abilities. That is part of what makes this such a rewarding job for me.
This is a wonderful story! It is wonderful that each animal receives the care and concern that is needed. Is Harvey on exhibit or in the veterinary clinic? We want to visit and appreciate him.
Moderator’s note: Currently, Harvey lives in the off-exhibit Wildlife Education Compound. Our Jungle Journey, one of the Behind-the-Scenes Safaris, takes guests to the compound where they can see him up close and beautiful!
I am so sorry to read this about Harvey, I hope this was only a bump in the road for him. I am sure he is a lot of fun and I know these Macaws are amazingly intelligent and very curious. As they age, they are a handful too, as they seem to be locked into the terrible twos toddler forever if not properly trained and cared for like Harvey!!! Wishing Harvey the best health possible and many more years of macaw fun. Thank you for giving Harvey such great care, he deserves it.
P.S. Many years ago, I bred Honduras Scarlet Macaws, larger Blue & Gold Macaws and Moluccan Cockatoos. They are near and dear to my heart.
Where do you live Ms.Beverly? It’s really cool you actually got to breed them.
I live in San Antonio, TX. The weather is very nice for the Parrots once they are fully acclimated. There was a couple more of us breeders, one bred just about every parrot you could imagine! I never wanted to breed the parrots, it was just every parrot I touched was a hen and much to my surprise, laid eggs! in my home everywhere!!! That was how it started.
Elizabeth, I want to point out to you, owning one is a on-going difficult task, I truly believe it best left to the Zoos, as they are staffed and equipped for the proper care and maintenance, they need more than what meets the eye. We can enjoy these beautiful creatures from the distance. I never want to romanticize the owning and breeding of Parrots out side the Zoos.
Thank you Ms.Beverly. Thank You.
Harvey is such a handsome guy! Let’s pray for a good result and many more years of life.
By the way, what is the average life span of a hyacinth macaw? Is Harvey still considered a young bird? Has he had any offspring?
Moderator’s note: He’s considered middle-aged, as macaws can reach up to 50 years. He has not had any offspring.
Thats good that the leg isn’t swelling anymore and that he picked up the nut is surprising. The menkes family is praying for him. We used to live in San Diego and went to the zoo a couple of times but didn’t even know about Harvey. or we did and I just don’t remember. Maybe you guys should cheer him on to do more with his leg. At least give the little fellow a brake.
Elizabeth Menkes age 11
What a great story! Every zoo animal receives the very best of care at SDZ. I will look for Harvey when we come to SD in March of 2013. I’ll have to check into booking a Jungle Journey at Safari Park. Wonderful.
I have had the pleasure of seeing Harvey at the Park, and being very enthusiastic about birds of all types, was utterly enchanted by him. I hope he continues to feel well for a long time to come.
I’m wondering how the radiation may have affected the surrounding area. Especially internally. Exterior burns or dryness are common, but radiation can thin healthy tissue & he’s so small.
Jules,
Thank you for your concern about Harvey. At this point, he continues to do well. His follow-up blood work revealed no abnormalities, and the skin on his leg is back to normal.
He’s beautiful.
It’s so heartwarming to hear about the wonderful care you go out of your way to give Harvey and all the other creatures in your care. I hope Harvey continues to do well and lives a long, long and healthy life!
Blessings to the animals and staff at SDZ!