Trophy Pro SA

Our Services

Processing of Trophies

Our processing and export facility was constructed and built strictly according to the requirements and needs of the South African Department of Veterinary Services. All national and international requirements are honoured by us - necessary for the successful export of trophies from South Africa, as well as the successful import of trophies into foreign countries.

Trophy preparation is divided into two disciplines:

1. Skulls, horns, hooves, claws, teeth & bones

All skulls are stripped of meat and fibre, then exposed to a natural sun-drying period. They are then boiled and washed in a soap solution to remove any remaining matter, dried again, bleached and washed a second time, and dried once more. Finally they are treated with an insecticide approved by the South African Veterinary Services and stored separately from unprocessed trophies awaiting crating and shipping - keeping processed trophies separate prevents recontamination.

2. Skins

All skins are dipped in a solution of formic acid and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) for 72 hours, then exposed to a salt process containing 2% sodium carbonate for 28 days. After salting, skins are hung to dry indoors, folded, and treated with an approved insecticide before being stored separately from unprocessed trophies.

Skulls Impala skull Skins Skins

Foot and Mouth Disease

For the inactivation of viruses present in skins and trophies from wild animals susceptible to FMD, one of the following procedures is used prior to complete taxidermal treatment:

  1. Boiling in water for an appropriate time to ensure any matter other than bone, horns, hooves, claws, antlers or teeth is removed.
  2. Gamma irradiation at a dose of at least 20 kilo Gray at room temperature (20°C or higher).
  3. Soaking, with agitation, in a 4% (w/v) solution of washing soda (sodium carbonate, Na₂CO₃) maintained at pH 11.5 or above for at least 48 hours.
  4. Soaking, with agitation, in a formic acid solution (100 kg salt [NaCl] and 12 kg formic acid per 1,000 litres water) maintained below pH 3.0 for at least 48 hours; wetting and dressing agents may be added.
  5. For raw hides, salting for at least 28 days with sea salt containing 2% washing soda (sodium carbonate, Na₂CO₃).

Ready to send us your trophies?

Complete our client registration form so we can begin the export permit process, or get in touch if you have any questions about our services.

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