Important Guidance and Information About Taxidermy in Africa

Almost anyone who hunts and takes a trophy animal in Africa will wish to have some part of that animal to represent the memory that will last a lifetime. Some are happy to have the skull and horns on a shield and perhaps have the skin tanned for a rug. Some will even have lamp stands and other curios produced from the skin, horns, hooves or tusks. Most however sooner or later decide to have a favoured trophy mounted in some way or another. In this way you can preserve the original look and character of the animal and keep a lasting and real impression of the trophy and the hunt that led up to the moment you took it.

Although taxidermy of your trophies may not take place for some time after your hunt it should be carefully looked into prior to your hunt to avoid disappointment and frustration at a later stage. You should also consider carefully the costs involved, as having your trophies professionally mounted by a competent taxidermist can cost almost as much as the hunt itself. Cheap taxidermy will almost inevitably be poor taxidermy. If you are not sure of the difference between good and bad taxidermy then do your homework; visit taxidermists, consult others who hunt and look for recommendations, search the Internet and compare mounted animals with the real thing.

Planning ahead for your trophy room
It is only when they get their trophies back home that many hunters wish they had planned and consulted more on their options on types of mount available. Many do not quite realise the true size of some of these animals when looked at in the vastness of the African bush. Also the particular positions and attitudes of the animals need to be considered or you could end up with a wall full of regimented mounts all looking in the same direction or worse mounts that do not fit into the place you had allotted to them. Modern artistic taxidermy allows for almost limitless possibilities. Even full mounts can be made in stunning action positions and take far less room than you might expect from an animal simply stood an all fours.

Options
You basically have two options and they are:

1. To have your trophies mounted in Africa at a taxidermist of your choice or perhaps one recommended by your outfitters. Africa, like all other countries, has good and bad taxidermists. Do your homework.

2. To have your trophies dipped and shipped back to the taxidermist of your choice in your home country or in a country of your choice.

What is dip and ship?
Dip and ship is the process by which you can have the skins of your trophies sent out of Africa to the taxidermist of your choice. You can have them sent raw salted and “dipped” in disinfectant to prevent any insects or other “pests” being transported. You can also opt to have them tanned in South Africa before shipping. This can be an economical choice as tanning in S.A is very reasonable and will reduce costs from your own taxidermist as it saves him much time. Your taxidermist will then prepare the skins for mounting as trophies.

Which ever of the two choices you make you should decide well in advance by contacting the taxidermist of your choice to assess his quality of work, his charges and any special requirements he may have as regards preparation of the skins immediately after the animal is shot.

How long does it all take?
Be patient. If you go to a good quality taxidermist in S.A you may wait 12 months to two years, sometimes more. If you go for dip and ship you can expect to wait 4 to 10 months for your skins and trophies to be home. You must then take or have them delivered to your taxidermist who will then assess them before beginning any work, add to this the time it takes him to prepare them.

What happens to my Trophy from the moment it is shot?
This is without doubt the most critical time that will dictate the final outcome for your prized trophy. If things are not done very quickly and precisely at this point a prized trophy can be lost as a caped mount.

1. You must give your outfitter, your P.H. and your skinners clear instruction on exactly how you want your animal skinned and prepared BEFORE YOU SHOOT IT. You cannot blame them or the taxidermist later if they were not given clear instructions on your exact requirements. It is for this reason that you should consult with your taxidermist so he can tell you exactly what he needs from the animal and how he needs it skinned for the mount you have chosen.

2. After the photos have been taken and the moment savoured the animal is tagged and either skinned on the spot or taken to a skinning area/shed.

3. The skinners will remove the skin as instructed and take the skull and horns and clean them

4. They will split the lips, nose, eyelids and open the ears by turning them inside out.

5. They will then de-flesh the hide and salt it by rubbing it in rock salt and then leaving it covered in salt to draw out the moisture and preserve it. (If this process is not done quickly and thoroughly spoilage will occur)

6. They are then allowed to dry out and stored.

No matter which option you choose they must then be sent to a South African taxidermist as they are, generally, the only ones licensed to dip and ship. They are then shipped by him, via an agent, to you or your taxidermist or mounted by him and then shipped to you.

Initial field preparation of your trophies is carried out on site by Shakawa Safaris prior to delivery to the Taxidermist. Before arrival to the Taxidermist you will need to determine what you want done to your trophies.
Regardless of what choices you make, the following costs will probably be involved:

1. All Trophies must remain in South Africa for a minimum of 90 days before shipping.

2. Packaging: (USA only) only one client per crate.

3. Warthogs can cause a delay in shipping (USA) if the State Veterinarian of the area is not available to issue transport permits.

4. Warthog must be packed in a separate crate. (U.S)

5. Shipping costs can only be finalised by the time trophies are dropped off. Costs provided here are estimates

6. Payment of a deposit to the taxidermist will ensure that your work goes on the production line.

7. No raw rodents may be exported.

8. “Problems” can sometimes be encountered with delays in the issuing of permits by the relevant government agencies, please bear with us.

1. Dipping (If only the skins are sent back. This is the process of disinfecting them prior to shipment)

2. Packing

3. Shipping to a Customs Broker near your home.

4. Shipping from the Customs Broker to your home.

The Taxidermist should tell you the costs for Dipping, Packing and any other taxidermy work that they will do for you. A deposit will be required for these services, however arrangements can be made to send this deposit to the taxidermist after your arrival home. You should also ask for an estimate for the shipping charges, though you will not know the precise amount until the crate is complete prior to your trophies being shipped to you, your shipping company will contact you regarding payment of the shipping bill. Upon arrival in the country the Customs Broker will contact you with final delivery information and any additional charges.

Raw Preparation and Shipping Costs
Cost $ 50-00 to $150.00 Per Animal approx.
Plus Value added Tax at current rate.
Plus a charge per shipment for crating and documentation dependant on crate size.
Plus $ 30 per Cites permit as required outside South Afric.a
To calculate the cost of having trophies mounted outside South Africa; add the above fees to the cost of shipping and the mounting costs in the country where your taxidermist is based.

Set out below are two tables of approximate charges for individual mounts as a guide to the cost of having mounts done in Africa. But check with the taxidermist as he may offer a deal on certain mounts or larger orders. These prices are in South African Rand and do not include the costs of Cites, documentation for crating, shipping, air freight, import duties and freight from port or airport of entry to final destination. Prices exclusive of VAT and subject to change without prior notice.