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Originally posted by KPete:

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Originally posted by MJines:
That bull had an exceptionally large segment of tusk inside the lip. Amazing specimen.

Many thanks for the kind remarks, Mike, especially from someone with your success with elephants. Not surprising, then, that you should note the issue with the tusks relative to 'inside the lip' markings. From your experience, do you suppose it was presenting symptoms of pachydermal dente mutilato stultiloquentia impaction of the tusks? I'm told this is not unlike an impacted molar in a human.

By the way, best regards from Buzz and the gang! They knew you would appreciate the photo.

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Originally posted by KPete:
...
... Due to export prohibitions, these tusks will be surrendered to local authorities and will never make it to the US. ...

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Originally posted by Caracal:
I hear rumors this is a fake

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Originally posted by KPete:
Thank you all for your very kind and congratulatory posts. Quite frankly I had not expected the kind of overwhelming response that this post has generated in 12-hours, especially given the very poor quality of the photo. The wife herself chided me this morning saying, "for goodness sake, if you're going to post your picture the very least you can do is stand closer to the camera".

Of course, she's right, and fortunately Justin (Buzz's videographer/photographer extraordinaire) had snapped one where I wasn't standing ten-feet behind my beloved tusks. You'll find that photo below:



Oh, I have confirmed that this is a record - for me, anyway. As my only other elephant was a tuskless, this ration cow is the finest and largest ivory I've ever taken. (I suppose it's also the smallest ivory I've ever taken, too, but that doesn't quite have the same ring to it.)

As for their weights, they are still approximate but are believed to be in the region of 160 and 144 ounces respectively (that's 10 pounds and 9 pounds each). Certainly better than the other tusks I managed on this hunt, but by no means less exceptional to a relative novice like myself. I'll let each of you be the judge:



Sure this is all very impressive, but please don't let the enormity of these trophies overshadow what was most important: A fantastic safari with a great PH, a superb team, in a remarkable part of Africa that has to be experienced to fully appreciate.

That, and having the opportunity to play an important part in protecting elephants and other African game through sustainable hunting. This elephant represents much needed protein for the villages in the area; money from the trophy and daily fees has gone to improve schools, build wells, and staff clinics; and, has helped to fund anti-poaching patrols to safeguard elephant herds. Without hunters, the elephants of Zimbabwe are destined to the same sad fate as those in Kenya where hunting has been prohibited.

Many apologies if my initial enthusiasm got the better of me. My only excuse is that perhaps the contagion of Walther and his buffalo photo has become viral.

Mea maxima culpa.

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Originally posted by dukxdog:
Superb. Circumference at lip and lengths?

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Originally posted by tendrams:

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Originally posted by shakari:
Gotta say that if they were mine, I'd be looking at ways to ship them to somewhere like Europe or elsewhere where there isn't an import ban because there's no way on God's earth, I'd be happy with leaving them in Africa and most certainly not leaving them with the Zim Govt.

THIS!