Gents:
As the title states, I have a white rhino skull and I don't know what to do with it. I have the paperwork from its importation from South Africa in 1995. Is it legal to sell it?
Thanks,
Cal

It’s a CITES animal.

I don’t think you can sell it unless it’s provably from before 1973(?) like elephant ivory.

You probably could donate it to a museum, and thus get a tax write off, if they will take it.

Otherwise, I don’t think you can get any monetary value for it.

Cal, I believe it's permissible to sell to someone within your state unless your state has regulations prohibiting the sale. Best have documentation of legal import if you advertise it.
See below for USFWS document.

https://www.fws.gov/internatio...et-can-i-sell-it.pdf

quote:

It’s a CITES animal.

I don’t think you can sell it unless it’s provably from before 1973(?) like elephant ivory.

With all due respect, I don't believe that is correct.

A white rhino taken from South Africa is a Cites II animal, not a Cites I animal. Moreover, a U.S. Cites import permit is not required for a rhino trophy taken in South Africa or Swaziland. There are different regulations regarding Cites I and Cites II and what you can and cannot do. I believe that Karl is correct, but when in doubt call the USFWS and get an answer. Even then, make certain that you get specific information from them as to the regulations that they are citing in the answer that they give you. If you contact SCI's former legal counsel, Anna Seidman, who now works for the U.S. Government, I am sure that you could get a quicker answer. Maybe SCI would give you her number to call. And, then remember that even if you could do so under federal law, you may also be subject to state law that may prohibit the sale and/or possession of all or certain parts of a rhino (some with some exceptions) like the states of Washington, Nevada, New York, California, etc., although I am not aware of Alaska having the same restrictions at the present time. Now, rhino horn, or a skull with rhino horn attached, would be a totally different issue.

What an interesting problem to have.

I am not sure what had happened to it, but about 20 years ago I was offered a zoo tiger pelt for a pittance, but I had to smuggle it from Vancouver into Washington.

The taxidermist in British Columbia had a really shady scent to his personality, and I was in no rush to go to jail. So I let fear rule valor and decided I didn't want to spend time in federal prison.

Pelt was nice, but if I look back at my life of the past 20 years and 5 international moves later, I doubt I would still have it if I didn't go to jail in the first place.

Won’t be the first time I’m wrong, but that was what was in the paperwork that I got with mine.

It might have changed between times, mine was just a couple years back.

I will take the horn and you can keep the skull?

Can he give it away?

Cause I got a place for it.

I would suppose that Cal will follow through with the USFWS on this and get a definitive answer and share it with all of us. But, hypothetically, even if he could gift it, instate or interstate, what do the laws of the state of Colorado say about elephant ivory, rhino horn, etc. etc.? I do know that Colorado was considering at one time the very same sorts of bans on ele ivory, rhino horn, ele and rhino parts, warthog ivory, mammoth ivory, etc., etc. that the left leaning Pacific coast states, along with Nevada, eventually enacted. Please do share your information when you find out.

I have a call into US F&W. They may return my call Monday.
Cal
I have found a home for it regardless.