The Accurate Reloading Forums
Potentially devistating news for some (Updated w/pics)
14 February 2012, 00:04
505 gibbsPotentially devistating news for some (Updated w/pics)
Has anyone heard anything about the warehouse that holds the trophies for the Bubye conservancy burning to the ground around Feruary 3rd? Approximately 500 safaris destroyed? I pray this is not true, but would be interested to hear from someone who knows.
14 February 2012, 00:30
Greg BrownleeI heard the same news on Friday, but just heard what you've posted here (I actually heard 200 clients, but still devastating).
Hopefully someone can shed more light on the situation, but I believe it's true to some degree.
14 February 2012, 01:08
TerryRSad news, after my Botswana hunt in 2004 I lost a nice Kudu mount when that taxidermy shop burned down. My sympathies to those who lost trophies. This is why you want pictures also.
14 February 2012, 01:15
JungleboyThey've had some very nice lions come out of the Bubye Conservancy in
the last couple of years. I agree, it would be devastating to lose your
trophies that way. You can't control everything, sorry to hear about it.
14 February 2012, 01:36
Kathi http://www.africahunting.com/l...mbabwe-bulawayo.htmlLooks like several outfitters were affected and as stated above about 200 clients.
Kathi
kathi@wildtravel.net
708-425-3552
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
14 February 2012, 02:49
safari-lawyerShame.
Will J. Parks, III
14 February 2012, 03:03
505 gibbsKathi, thanks for posting the link.
quote:
Update.
To All Parties Concerned
REPORT ON FIRE AT FREIGHT CONSULTANTS
We regret to advise that on 3rd February there was a devastating fire at Freight Consultants premises where your trophies were being stored pending export.
The premises were closed and alarmed at 16.25 hours. At 18.20 hours the alarm was activated and the security monitoring company, on arrival at the premises, reported a fire. The fire brigade was called out at 18.22 hours and they responded immediately. The factory was monitored by CCTV as well.
As the warehouse stored mainly cases and cartons of hunting trophies, the fire spread uncontrollably. By the time they managed to put the fire out, about 95% of the 450-500 cases of trophies were destroyed.
Numerous shipments were being held back as a result of US Fish and Wildlife seizing shipments where the CITES export permit did not have a year of export quota number. Shipments which had elephant, leopard and crocodile were held back until National Parks were in a position to issue export permits with a year of export quota number reflected. There was a further delay as the computer in the National Parks, Bulawayo permits office had a problem. There is only one computer in the permits office in Bulawayo on which permits can be issued. They have not been able to issue permits the whole of January. So some shipments were held back for four months (October to January) waiting for replacement permits bearing the year of export quota number to be issued.
At present Freight Consultants are moving the in tact cases that escaped the fire to another warehouse. They will then try and salvage as much a possible such as ivory and a small amount of trophies. It should be borne in mind that Freight Consultants have been instructed not to tamper with any trophies until investigations have been finalised.
The Zimbabwe operators and Taxidermists whose clients were affected are as follows:
ALLADALE ENTERPRISESMATUPULA HUNTERS
COLLETT'S WILDLIFE ARTISTRY MAZUNGA SAFARIS
GEORGIA SAFARIS NENGASHA SAFARIS
HHK SAFARIS SAFARILAND TAXIDERMY
LODZI HUNTERS TAXIDERMY ENTERPRISES
LOWVELD SAFARIS ZIMAFRICA SAFARIS
MALILANGWE MATABELELAND TAXIDERMY
The above operators represent approximately 200 clients.
We consider it appropriate to just give you a background of Freight Consultants. Lily Milne the owner of Freight Consultants has been handling the export of hunting trophies since 1982 firstly with Cargo Services for 23 years until 2005. Freight Consultants was then established. In excess of 15,000 shipments have been exported successfully by them during this period of 30 years.
Please bear in mind, a large number of clients have been affected and we respectfully request your patience and emphasise that we understand and empathise with your anxiety on the status of your shipment.
As and when we have more information we will keep you informed.
Yours faithfully,
FREIGHT CONSULTANTS
14 February 2012, 03:08
larryshoresHorrible news.
14 February 2012, 03:22
bwana cecilCan you buy insurance for this kind of thing?
I know that would not replace your trophies, but maybe help pay for another safari to help replace some or most of what you lost.
Taking the time to take lots of quality photos of you trophies is a really good idea.
I feel for the folks that lost their trophies, I felt bad enough when I got a wrong cape.
LORD, let my bullets go where my crosshairs show.
Not all who wander are lost.
NEVER TRUST A FART!!!
Cecil Leonard
14 February 2012, 03:25
graybirdYou can bet some of those trophies were a lifetime of savings for some hunters, especially when considering CITES animals like elephant, leopard, lion, etc.!!!
Graybird
"Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after ... it's the reckoning."
14 February 2012, 03:28
A.DahlgrenSo that means all leopard/ele/croc/lion from Zim taken in 2011 with below operators are gone ??
ALLADALE ENTERPRISESMATUPULA HUNTERS
COLLETT'S WILDLIFE ARTISTRY MAZUNGA SAFARIS
GEORGIA SAFARIS NENGASHA SAFARIS
HHK SAFARIS SAFARILAND TAXIDERMY
LODZI HUNTERS TAXIDERMY ENTERPRISES
LOWVELD SAFARIS ZIMAFRICA SAFARIS
MALILANGWE MATABELELAND TAXIDERMY
That is terrible news....
I had 2 leopards with Collets but got em out last year thank god.
14 February 2012, 03:47
safari-lawyerI hope that 90 lbs elephant from Matupula was not lost.
Will J. Parks, III
14 February 2012, 03:53
CCMDocWow!!!
Terrrible, terrible news.
Pop and I hunted with some of those outfits and nearly did so again this past year. Nengasha Safaris and HHK were top notch and thoroughly professional - we had GREAT safaris. I am sure they are nearly as horrified about this as the clients who lost their trophies.
Very sad
NRA Lifer; DSC Lifer; SCI member; DRSS; AR member since November 9 2003
Don't Save the best for last, the smile for later or the "Thanks" for tomorow
14 February 2012, 04:31
ledvmVery sad indeed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
J. Lane Easter, DVM
A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House
No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991.
14 February 2012, 04:33
Frostbitquote:
Numerous shipments were being held back as a result of US Fish and Wildlife seizing shipments where the CITES export permit did not have a year of export quota number.
I suppose there would not have been 500 crates there if USF&W wasn't on a rampage.
14 February 2012, 06:10
jeff hman what a shame, and shame on USF&F not that they will care...
NRA LIFE MEMBER
DU DIAMOND SPONSOR IN PERPETUITY
DALLAS SAFARI CLUB LIFE MEMBER
SCI FOUNDATION MEMBER
14 February 2012, 06:27
jdollarSOME FOLKS AT USFWS WILL CONSIDER IT A GOOD DAYS WORK!
Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend…
To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP
14 February 2012, 18:15
BEGNOCollett's has all of my trophies from my August hunt with Nixon. They had not been completed, so I didn't think they were in that fire but I sent off an email asking for confirmation. They assured me my trophies were there in the studio. They said they only use that freight consultant when requested to do so by a client so the majority of their taxidermy work that is waiting to be shipped is at another shipper. They did say that a few of their clients had crates in the fire.
BUTCH
C'est Tout Bon
(It is all good)
14 February 2012, 18:30
RobertWell I got an email today that my ivory hunted during September in Zimbabwe was at the warehouse during the fire.
The mail contain the the following additional information:
"I have I think located them and we will try and restore the best we can. I have attached a letter for you to see what has happened I will also sent you photos."
I hope there is something to restore......
Robert
14 February 2012, 18:54
CARLOSTHEJACKALI got the news today that my leopard and hippo were completely destroyed. Hunted with HHK (Chete) in July. Good thing I got the pictures and the memories!
NRA Life Member
DSC Life Member
Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.
Ronald Reagan
14 February 2012, 20:59
JudgeGDang, Carlos! I haven't heard for sure about Emmy's stuff from this year, but, like you, I have the memories and (especially) a really good video.
I've had a dozen safaris or so shipped by this company and never a bump until now. I know that stuff happens, but what a trajedy.
JudgeG ... just counting time 'til I am again finding balm in Gilead chilled out somewhere in the Selous.
14 February 2012, 21:05
CARLOSTHEJACKALJudge
Needless to say the news put me into a flat spin. I talked to my taxidermist and they can replicate the hippo by my pictures but I'm SOL on the leopard. And to think, I had to smell that dang gut bucket for 15 days for nothing!

NRA Life Member
DSC Life Member
Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.
Ronald Reagan
15 February 2012, 01:55
AnotherAZWriterI am glad I have fire sprinklers in my house...
15 February 2012, 02:23
Use Enough GunThis is very sad news for many of our AR members. I had my trophies shipped to Life Form just before the fire, but did not get a confirmation on that until I sent an email to them last night after reading about the fire. My heart goes out to those who lost trophies in this disaster. I know and have used many of the outfitters who use Freight Consultants and I am sure that they are as sick about this as we all are. My heartfelt condolences to those who lost their trophies.
15 February 2012, 02:32
rj61Got the message today from HHK that they don't know if my trophies from Chirisa from last year (including a big leopard) are ok or not.
15 February 2012, 06:15
retreeverSometimes we think we have problems on safari and it all pales compared to this...
Mike
Michael Podwika... DRSS bigbores and hunting
www.pvt.co.za " MAKE THE SHOT " 450#2 Famars
15 February 2012, 06:43
muygrandeVery sad indeed. My feelings go out to all affected by this event.
15 February 2012, 07:32
Todd WilliamsVery sorry to hear of this guys. So many great memories tarnished.
15 February 2012, 09:05
AnotherAZWriterquote:
Originally posted by retreever:
Sometimes we think we have problems on safari and it all pales compared to this...
Mike
Try getting diagnosed with cancer or hearing your daughter was killed in car accident.
Some of you guys have your priorities pretty messed up.
15 February 2012, 09:38
tygersmanI must have missed the part where folks were comparing losing their trophies to family tragedies and the loss of life.
15 February 2012, 09:58
eagle27quote:
Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
quote:
Originally posted by retreever:
Sometimes we think we have problems on safari and it all pales compared to this...
Mike
Try getting diagnosed with cancer or hearing your daughter was killed in car accident.
Some of you guys have your priorities pretty messed up.
I have been diagnosed with cancer and it was not that bad

Now I must ask a question as I have elsewhere previously but nobody gives me an answer. It is true what I said above and I'm cured, just thought I might get some attention and not meaning to be in bad taste. I view life differently now, it's there to enjoy and not get too hung up on the obstacles that are thrown at us.
My question has some relevance to the subject of this thread. Could one go to Africa and take animals but not want to take trophies back home, only photo and video? Would this be 'bad taste', insulting to the PH and his operation and staff, result in a poor safari experience due to the PH not making the effort to hunt good animals.
Or would outfitters give you a good safari and make use of any trophies taken? Anyone please?
My sympathy to those who have lost their trophies, I'm not belittling your efforts to take them and wish to preserve them.
15 February 2012, 10:55
JBrownquote:
Originally posted by eagle27:
Could one go to Africa and take animals but not want to take trophies back home, only photo and video? Would this be 'bad taste', insulting to the PH and his operation and staff, result in a poor safari experience due to the PH not making the effort to hunt good animals.
Or would outfitters give you a good safari and make use of any trophies taken? Anyone please?
Yes, you could. This is becoming more popular as shipping cost are shooting through the roof.
There are some hunters who see leaving the trophy behind as "not honoring the trophy". On the other hand there are many who think that honoring the trophy has nothing to do with mounting its head to a wall.
I doubt most PHs would care if you left your trophies with them. They would be able to use them to replace other trophies that are lost or damaged.
Jason
"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________
Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.
Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.
-Jason Brown
16 February 2012, 09:44
700 nitrothat must suck if i lost my trophys like that id be looking for answers and for somebody to be paying for a new safarie to replace the trophy's burned in the fire if i had to fly to africa and take care of the people personaly to get the issue resolved then so be it.
16 February 2012, 12:20
We Are Sparta!Nitro,
These things happen. It happens in the US and Canada. As far as getting "answers" - good luck. You will get this answer, "That is Africa". As far as someone "paying for a new safarie" - good luck in finding someone who takes responsibility. Not going to happen in Zimbabwe or most places for that matter. "Fly to africa and take care of the people personaly to get the issue resolved" - good luck again as you would likely end up in jail or worse if you threatened or acted on a threat.
Best solution - write it off as bad luck or "that is Africa", save your money and go hunt again to get some more life experiences.
It is terrible and it should not happen but it does - just like getting $750 settlement when the airline loses my $12,000 double rifle and my insurance company says it is not covered outside the US. "That is Africa" and life....
16 February 2012, 19:15
Bill/OregonSad but not devastating. The most important part of the hunt is the memory, not the animal parts, at least to me.
And here's the other half of the deal:
Mope around the house for a couple of weeks mourning your lost trophies until the wife comforts you by saying, "Looks like you'll just have to go back to Africa dear."

There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.
– John Green, author
18 February 2012, 01:36
Todd WilliamsThat makes me wonder how it got started! A damn ugly sight though.
18 February 2012, 05:38
Use Enough Gun+1
18 February 2012, 20:36
ledvm+3
Seems odd for trophies sitting in the middle of what looks like a steel and concrete building to burn when the surrounding building and some of the trophy crates look fine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
J. Lane Easter, DVM
A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.– Billy Clayton, Speaker of the Texas House
No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991.
18 February 2012, 23:43
LionHunterThere are so many issues with this fire and so many questions to be answered. Condolences to those who have lost trophies.
We were worried that Carl's ivory and Lion might have been involved, but apparently not. We did consider the fact that we had an excellent, professional video done by Safari Classics to be a mitigating circumstance.
Mike
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