I just received a call from my taxidermist saying that all of my trophies have arrived with the exception of my Warthog skull and tusks. They are listed on the paperwork, but they're just not in the crate! I've got Coppersmith, Reiser and IFN all checking. I am keeping my fingers crossed because I don't have a lot of faith that I'll ever get another as old and big. Let me know if you've ever been in a similar situation and if/how it was resolved.

Wanted:

Nice piggy….good luck locating. Mine went missing out of my trophy shipment several years ago and I never collected it. I have shipped trophies back here 3 times and had problems with missing animals twice. Now I take photos and forget the trophies. Makes a guy mad when you spend all this money to bring stuff home only to find it missing or damaged. Insurance is a joke as it typically has a very high deductable. Not trying to be negative. I hope you find your stuff.

I feel for you. I lost a leopard out of shipment several years ago and no one could tell me what happened to it. All paperwork was in order. The paperwork was with the shipment, and skull was there but it had been smashed. I hope you had better luck then I did.

I have a couple of skulls and a complete skin if you need replacements. I have no extra tusks however.

I got screwed out of a complete safari worth of animals. Shit happens down there.

usda might be involved - they are under the belief that if they don't do paperwork on a warthog that the entire state of iowa will disappear from swine flu. good luck in getting them its a fine looking warthog

Of all the animals to loose, a Warthog is the easiest to replace. Replacement tusks can be bought and so can capes.

If you have a picture, an accurate "reproduction" can be made.

Still, it is a shame to loose the actual trophy.

Hope they find it.

Ironically, I have the cape, just no skull or tusks. Of course I have been waiting for it to arrive so that I could have the European mount...

United States Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.) regulations relating to "swine products" require that unmounted warthog skulls and teeth be packed in a separate container, which must be clearly marked "SWINE PRODUCTS."

Generally, the separate container containing the swine products will accompany your main crate as part of the same consignment.

Once everything clears customs at the port of entry, your customs broker will generally ship the main crate directly to you or your taxidermist, and will arrange for the package containing the warthog skull and tusks to be sent on to a USDA approved facility for further treatment.

Once that treatment is completed, your customs broker typically arranges for the trans-shipment of the warthog trophies directly to you.

Note that the foregoing procedure only applies to loose tusks, bleached and cleaned skulls and dip and ship items, such as hides.

Full mounts, head and shoulder mounts and shield mounts are classified as fully processed, and do not require any further U.S.D.A. approved treatment upon arrival in the U.S.A.

What is troubling about your situation is that Coppersmith apparently does not know what is going on. Good luck.

It helps to have a taxidermist that is a USDA approved facility to recieve swine.

Coppersmith needs to earn their fee on this one, for you.

I had just the opposite happen this year in that my shipment from Zim contained someone's bushbuck trophy. Lucky for the person the cape had the taxidermy tag on it. My taxidermist just shipped it to the persons taxidermist.

Maybe this somehow happened to you. Nice warthog by the way.

BigB

sorry great pig. good luck

I have some tusks if you want them. I am guessing I have shot at least 50. Some are pretty good sized.

Larry, thanks for the offer. It wouldn't be the same if it wasn't mine.

I don't think it was taken out of the crate. We still have the Warthog hide.

I just think that it was left out of my crate. I am hoping that is the case and it can be found. Otherwise I don't think I'll ever see it again. It's an unenviable position to be in for sure.

I agree with you but I thought I would offer anyway.

I had the left horn from both my Klipspringer and Steenbok stolen, sometime before leaving Africa. The shipper in Zim also over charged on the weight. I did get a refund for the overage, but re-production horns had to be made.
My Ph thought it was stolen for some black magic charms.

I have empathy for your loss. I "lost" two buffalo - a 39" and a 39 1/2". Someone thought they'd just swap them with a 36" and a 37 1/2" and no one would notice the difference. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do.
Dave
PS- at least Jonas Bros. did a mediocre job of the mounts to make up for my loss (sarcasm).

I really hope you'll get your trophy!
It's not to a good feeling. I've been there myself with a warthog, and unfortunatly it has never showed up..

I'll keep my fingers crossed! It's a very nice pig, for sure..

Fellows, I feel you pain. I lost an elephant in 96. 74x75. It sucks.

Don't get your panties in a wad just yet. They are at times treating warthog as swine and USDA is getting in the act and delaying shipment. I hope this is the case and your pig will likely show up later.

Larry, I didn't know about your elephant, that is pain my friend.

Another friend of mine killed a beautiful 70 pounder in Tanzania and the PH who was working for Usangu Safaris and not getting paid simply stole the tusks and sold them. Gone.

Jeff

quote:

Originally posted by D99:
I got screwed out of a complete safari worth of animals.

Me too. So count yourself lucky that you got most of yours.

All of the paperwork from Namibia says hide x 1, skull x 1 and tusks x 1. F&W paperwork says Warthog, doesn's say what parts.

Good luck 450/400. If they don’t come back I would go with what Wendell said. And at least you have the hide (and you probably have the measurements too). Someone will be able to make you reproduction tusks and you’ll still be able to have a mount made of your trophy.

Do you have the whole hide? I made a full size mount out of mine and I love it.

I mailed about 20 digital photos to my taxidermist at lunch today. It truly sucks but I will have the mount.

quote:

Originally posted by 450/400:
All of the paperwork from Namibia says hide x 1, skull x 1 and tusks x 1. F&W paperwork says Warthog, doesn's say what parts.

My bet is that your stuff was taken here in the states, not in africa.

Aren't swine products supposed to be shipped separately from other game ? Maybe the authorities saw it packed with other trophies and took it out.

Please keep us posted if and when you get the original back.

WOW!!! That really bites!!! I wish you the best in locating your trophy!!! Hey it might be a good reason to go back thou!!!