I received an e-mail from Maria Europa president of Hunter International Brokerage last week informing me that Taxidermy Enterprises had halted trophy shipments to the US that have CITIES items within.




The general scope as I understand it is that CITIES determined a need for a much more specific listing of "each item" relative to CITIES in shipments from Zimbabwe, example a curio made of Elephant skin, needs to be listed and specified separately from a 2nd curio such as an ostrich egg. Zim did not do this. USF&WL initially granted an extension so that shipments already in route could clear. That extension has now expired and it is likely that shipments coming in without new forms meeting the Cities demands will be seized. So to keep their clients items out of the fray Taxidermy Enterprises has halted shipments. It seems that some other shippers may not have followed suit an their clients items are in danger of being seized and destroyed or at the very least being held or returned to Zim at considerable expense to the owner.


Meanwhile if you have anything in Zim I'd suggest you get with Maria to get the full scoop and the pertinent info.
Hunter International Brokerage Services

Best Regards

Mike O

Can you post the content of the letter?

Thanks!

Steve; You were too quick for me! I revised the post after I was able to crop down the letter and add it in a readable fashion.

BR

Mike o

I have recently emailed Maria with no reply. I have no problems getting responces from any of my Zim friends, Outfitters, PH's or Shipping Agents. In the past two years, I've yet to ever receive a reply from Taxidermy Enterprises. Anyone else have these problems?
David

That's interesting. I'll have to read up on this one. Any other info out there among ye?

I received the same letter...hoping it will resolve itself soon.

D. Nelson

My trophies from my September 2007 hunt arrived in Houston on Friday. I talked to ABX Logistics and they indicated that Fish and Game would take 10 to 14 days to clear the shipment. ABX did not indicate that anything was likely to be problematic. Maybe that is because my shipment showed up before March 31, who knows. Will post if I hear anything further.

I have been playing chess with Taxidermy Enterprises since Aug of 2006, that's right 2006. To make a long story short, three of us hunted with HHK and we had 3 giraffes and 4 zebras tanned at Taxidermy Ent. They(TE) ruined all the skins through improper storage and tanning. Mazunga Safaris replaced the skins and the replacements were sent for tanning in Sept. 07. As of today, the only response I get from Taxidermy enterprises is "They are coming along and we will get with you soon".
We are now at the end of March 2008 and we have no trophys, capes, horns, skins, curios, etc. from a safari taken in July of 2006. To some of you I've come to understand that the horns/skins/etc. are not important, but to me and my two clients they are very important.
I put the blame entirely on Taxidermy Enterprises. If there is anything good to come out of this, I will be in Bulawayo in July of this year and I will have no mercy on them.
P.S. I am not happy with HHK and their failure to get this problem resolved, but that is another story.

Just unpacked my crate from TE for a June 06 hunt. The shipment was held up in August because of the CITES changes and finally was ready in January.

It left Zim over a month ago and finally made it in to Atlanta on Friday the 14th. The crate and the manner in which the mounts were packed was excellent. I was not pleased with the wait or the shipping charges as they are much higher, double, than in past years.

USDA held the shipment because of unfinished Kudu horns, 4 pair. I talked with the inspector and pointed out that they were in conformance with the regulations and she visually checked the shipment, clearing it on Tuesday. A day lost because Delta could not find the paperwork and in a total of 10 days it cleared and this afternoon I had one of my trucks bring it home.

The mounts are well done and worth the wait. The wood for the pedestal mounts is beautiful. I had two gun cases made out of my buffalo and they are very well made.

I had one Zebra fail and it was replaced with what appears to be an immature female. One set of Kudu horns bears someone elses name and does not have measurements similiar to the kudu that were taken.

During the past year+ I would have liked TE to be more upfront instead of trying to run everything through the concession holder. the failed Zebra put the order back a few months and then the CITES snafu added six months to my wait.

I used Bromleys previously and was not happy with some of the work, however the overall costs were reasonable. In the future anything from Zim, SA or Namibia will be sent to Life Form as they have proven to have the highest quaility work and the costs were very reasonable.

I got the same letter. This shipment stems from a hunt in MZB from June 2005. It is approaching three years now and I am starting not to care anymore. If it wasn't for the 43" Buffalo I would have told them to forget it and save the shipping costs.

I agree with corecpa. I've been trying to get a June 2006 shippment out of Zim. If it weren't for the leopard in that shippment, I would have told them to forget it!

All the more reason to go for tuskless.

I'm probably mistaken and will be corrected, but, isn't one of the reasons you use an outfitter is, you have a contact in the USA and they can help with problems similar to the above ones?
If I paid an outfitter big bucks for a hunt, and they didn't help when problems arose with the export of the trophies, I'd be an unhappy hunter.
Am I being unfair to outfitters?

TJ

I think you're confusing agents with outfitters - but in circumstances such as are described above, I doubt there's much a US based agent could achieve anyway as the problem obviously lies in Africa......

took me 3 years to get my ele out of zim with TE

quote:

Posted 25 March 2008 09:52 Hide Post
I'm probably mistaken and will be corrected, but, isn't one of the reasons you use an outfitter is, you have a contact in the USA and they can help with problems similar to the above ones?
If I paid an outfitter big bucks for a hunt, and they didn't help when problems arose with the export of the trophies, I'd be an unhappy hunter.
Am I being unfair to outfitters?

I prescribe to OofU's philosophy. Primarily because the outfitter/Safari Company is the best local source and the only one we foreigners seem to have any leverage over but also because I make it clear on the front end that my expectations and measure of a good safari includes having my trophies handled and delivered with the same expert quality and expertise as the hunt.

IMO if enough outfitters took on or were held to the responsibility for excellent trophy care it would not be an issue as they would quickly bring their preferred perpetrators in line or send their business elsewhere.

We can back further up stream and realize that this means the safari hunter is the real control point. If they contact for the full service and stick to it the system will improve. Instead I have heard a number of disappointed safari hunters report that their outfitter took care of the problems by offering them a discount on some portion of their “next†hunt. (This seems more like an incentive to screw something up than to have done it right the first time!)

To be fair, there are times that the “under-reported†portion of a “dissatisfied story†is something like;

Ruined skins; due to excessive and poorly places shots, wounded and later expiring animals not being retrieved for many hours or until the following day, lack of clear skinning instructions for a special type of mount by the hunter.

Preparation and shipping delays: due to lack or slowness in rendering payment, poor response to correspondence and doing business in countries with questionable or obviously corrupt Governments.


Respectfully

Mike O

Below is a text version of the USF&WL pertinent bullitin as posted on their website;


Public Bulletin - Revision of U.S. CITES RegulationsFrom: Saved by Windows Internet Explorer 7
Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 10:32 PM
Subject: Public Bulletin - Revision of U.S. CITES Regulations
Office of Law Enforcement


September 18, 2007

Subject: Revision of U.S. CITES Regulations

Background: On August 23, 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) published a final rule updating regulations that implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in the United States (50 CFR Part 23). These regulations incorporate resolutions that have been adopted by CITES member nations since the late 1970s and that have already been put into effect over the years.

Written in plain language, the new regulations provide a comprehensive, easy-to-use guide on how to trade in CITES species. Most parts of the new regulations explain procedures and requirements that are already in effect. A few provisions, however, are new and may change some aspects of how individuals, businesses, and institutions import and export CITES species.

Action: The Service's revised CITES regulations go into effect on September 24, 2007. We strongly encourage all those who import or export CITES species to review these regulations as they may clarify existing procedures and provide a better understanding of permit requirements, recordkeeping, permit validity, and other aspects of trading in CITES-listed wildlife and plants.

Although these regulations for the most part restate current CITES requirements and Service policies and procedures that have already been implemented, we call attention to the following changes:

Validation (§§ 23.23(c)(21), 23.26(c)(18), and 23.27): The appropriate inspection authority must validate all CITES documents at the time of export or re-export. (Such validation confirms that the actual quantity of CITES specimens in the shipment does not exceed the quantity authorized for trade on the CITES document.) The Service will no longer accept CITES documents for imports of CITES species that have not been validated; such shipments will be considered unlawful and may be detained or seized.

Required information for CITES documents (§ 23.23): The new regulations specify that CITES documents must contain certain required information to be considered valid. Some required information must appear on all CITES documents (e.g., date of issue and expiration; complete description of the specimen; scientific name; a unique document control number; the complete name and address of the exporter and importer, including country; purpose of the transaction; quantity, etc.). The regulations also specify certain additional information that must appear on specific types of CITES documents.

Use of CITES species after import (§ 23.55): The new regulations clarify that any conditions placed on the use of CITES specimens at the time of import will continue to determine the allowable use of CITES wildlife or plants once they are in the United States. Since most Appendix I and certain Appendix II specimens (for example, those listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act) can only be imported for noncommercial purposes, any subsequent use of those specimens, including transfer, donation, or exchange, must also be noncommercial.

Registration of commercial breeding operations for Appendix I species (§ 23.46): The new regulations require operations that breed Appendix I wildlife for commercial purposes to be registered with the Service for each Appendix I species maintained at the operation. Registered breeding operations will be able to export Appendix I species for commercial purposes with a CITES export permit; no import permit will be required.

In the past, most U.S. commercial breeders of Appendix I wildlife have applied for permits under Article III of the treaty instead of registering their operations. In the future, the Service will issue permits to such applicants under this article only in exceptional circumstances.

Caviar labeling (§ 23.71): The new regulations implement the CITES-recommended universal labeling system for containers of sturgeon and paddlefish caviar. Sturgeon caviar imports, exports, and re-exports must bear non-reusable labels affixed by the caviar processing plant in the country of origin showing all of the following information: a standardized species code; source code; two-letter ISO code of the country of origin; year of harvest; and processing plant code and identification number. The regulations also codify labeling requirements for caviar that has been repackaged before export or re-export.

Definition of sport-hunted trophy (§ 23.74(b)): The new regulations define sport-hunted trophy as the "raw or tanned parts of a specimen that was taken by a hunter, who is also the importer, exporter, or re-exporter, during a sport hunt for personal use." The definition goes on to clarify that bones, claws, hair, head, hide, hooves, horns, meat, skull, teeth, tusks, or any taxidermied part (such as a rug or taxidermied head, shoulder, or full mount) will be considered sport-hunted trophies. Handicraft items or items manufactured from the trophy for utilitarian use (such as clothing, curios, ornamentation, and jewelry) cannot be imported or exported as sport-hunted trophies.

Tagging (§§ 23.69(c), 23.70(d), and 23.74(d)): The new regulations state that self-locking tags (such as those required for certain skins and hides imported as sport-hunted trophies) must actually be inserted through the skin.

Personal and household effects (§ 23.5 and § 23.15): The new regulations provide a more detailed explanation of how people may travel with personal CITES items and move them when they change residence from one country to another. The regulations define personal and household effects and clarify when such items are exempt from CITES permit requirements.

Personal effects (which include tourist souvenirs lawfully purchased overseas) are specifically defined as dead wildlife or plant specimens worn as clothing or accessories or carried by travelers in the baggage that accompanies them on the same plane, train, or other conveyance. Items must meet specific criteria cited in the regulations (see below); specimens that are mailed or shipped separately do not qualify for the exemption.

Household effects consist of dead wildlife or plant specimens that are shipped as part of a household move and that meet other requirements cited in the regulations (see below). Such items must have been acquired before owners change their residence, and they must be imported or exported within one year of the change of residence.

The regulations specify that the exemption for personal and household effects does not apply to live specimens (including eggs and seeds) or to specimens listed in Appendix I (except for certain pre-Convention worked African elephant ivory). Nor does it apply if the importing, exporting, or re-exporting country requires a CITES document (some CITES member nations have not exempted personal and household effects from permit requirements). The items must be for personal use (not commercial use, as defined in § 23.5), and the quantity and nature must be reasonably appropriate for the trip or move.

The regulations also identify specimens for which CITES member nations have set limits on the number that may be imported or exported as personal and household effects. These specimens include sturgeon caviar, seahorses, crocodilian parts and products, queen conch and giant clam shells, and cacti rainsticks. When quantities of these items exceed the established limits, a CITES document will be required for the entire amount (not just the items in excess of the limit).


Contact:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Office of Law Enforcement
703-358-1949; 703-358-2271 (fax)
lawenforcement@fws.gov (email)


Last Updated: September 18, 2007

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Home Page | Department of the Interior | USA.gov | About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | Accessibility | Privacy | Notices | Disclaimer | FOIA

One more pile on story.
Just this morning I received from Taxidermy Enterprises a final bill with some pictures of animals (lion, buffalo and others)I took 3 years ago on a hunt in Matetsi Unit 1. This hunt was also with HHK and all I could get out of anyone was "IMPROPER PAPERWORK". I'd given up and believed the trophies were lost.

I spoke to Carol Rutkowski at Coppersmith this morning. She told me that the Zim authorities have until April 1 to submit a draft of a new CITES form to be used to document exports of trophies. The draft must be reviewed and approved by CITES authorities in Switzerland. Once approval is granted, she believes that paperwork for all pending shipments will have to be re-submitted to the reserve bank of Zimbabwe for export approval. Bottom line, she says to expect a delay of at least two months.

FWIW, I have always had excellent response and communications with Taxidermy Enterprises. My trophies in the current hold-up are from an October, 2006 bull elephant hunt. I know positively that the delay in my case is the responsibility of the outfitter, who failed for months to supply the RBZ number to Taxidermy so the export docs and bank approvals could proceed.

Would it be possible to get around this problem by having shipments go to S.A. and cites done there for shipment on to the U.S.?
I would think some motivated individual in S.A. would be willing to work on this problem for a small add on fee.

Dr C

The CITES paperwork to do a shipment to south Africa is the same as for the US.

Two problems-

1) Zim insits on putting all animals on a CITES export permit including all those that are not regulated by CITES...

2) Director Scientific Services belives that Zimbabwe is so Important to US afairs that America will have to do things our way or be sorry

Uh oh...so, you're saying this is a game to see who will blink first? That's not good for any of us.

To Quote Ganyana:

quote:

1) Zim insits on putting all animals on a CITES export permit including all those that are not regulated by CITES...

This is what is holding up my Zebra skin. And now guess what....my CITES permit for my Burchell's Zebra (WTF??) has expired. However, no blame with my Outfitter/PH. He took my dipped & packed skin to Freight Consultants in Bulawayo to be shipped last fall. I've never received any replys from TE (maybe it was my email addy that didn't get through??) but no problems commicating with FC. Since most Zim Outfitters do their own "dip/pack" you only need a freight company to arrange shipment to the US. My initial delay was caused by a lack of email communication with my PH. My email addy was the problem. Once I opened a yahoo account, we were able to email daily. The real BS in my story is the CITES permit to export a common Zebra skin. Otherwise, it would have been here long ago. Now I'm tied up waiting on the new CITES permit. I guess when I return to Zim in June I can brain tan it myself and bring it home in my luggage Oh wait, I'll need a CITES permit for that It's taken me a while to get all my ducks in a row, but me thinks my next hunt will go much smoother. My advice to the Zim rookie's: 1. Find yourself a good hunting Consultant/booking Agent; one that your comfortable with and has good communication skills (Their services are usually free to you; You can always book your own hunt once you learn the ropes if you feel the need to be a Lone Wolf type) 2. Hunt with reputable Outfitters (those that are known and have a high standard/reputation) 3. Use a US Customs Importer, especially the first trip. These folks can save not only your money but in a bind, your ass! Their nominal fee is well worth it when the crap hits the fan in a foreign country. Not that any problem can be solved, but they know the scammers from the legit operators. If you hit a glitch with USDA or USF&W, these are your only "go to" people. On your own, you may be up a creek without a paddle.
My intention is only to advise the new Hunters, not side track this post, as my free advice is related to this current train wreck. I felt the need after reading some of the previous posts concerning ruined trophies and long, overdue delays. Been there, done that. Best of luck to all, David

2 names keep recurring in this thread-Taxidermy Enterprises and HHK, both well known in Zim hunting circles. to be fair, HHK was only mentioned twice but i still find it bothersome. any comments from or Zim. posters about these 2 companies?

I would like to hear more about Ganyana's comments if someone can elaborate on that.

quote:

Originally posted by yukon delta:
I would like to hear more about Ganyana's comments if someone can elaborate on that.

You might find more info if you do a search. Zim did not properly update the CITES form and was given a temporary period to continue exports while they fixed it. The time is running out and they do not have a new form approved, or at least that is how I read it. I suppose some there think they will get another extension.

Here is a post on the subject from Carol Rutkowski.

Thanks Charles. This doesn't sound good to me as I'm researching leopard hunts in Zim.

This is particularly troubling from Ganyana..."Director Scientific Services believes that Zimbabwe is so Important to US affairs that America will have to do things our way or be sorry."

I would hope it will be sorted out well before your trip, unless you are headed back this year. If you are, I am too jealous to feel sorry for you!

I've got a little time as I am headed to the Caprivi Strip for ele in '09. The trip after that could be leopard though and I hope it's in Zim.

I am sure we will have much better grasp of the situation before then. Of course this still means you are getting back to Africa before me.

I need to pick up some Lotto tickets!

Parks Director General Morris Mutsumbiwa has assured the industry that the new forms wll be in use by next week and parks will re-issue the paper work!

Progress right before the election? Stunning.