GIRAFFE

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Professional Giraffe Taxidermy in South Africa

Trophy hunting for a giraffe is often an exhilarating and challenging experience. Spot-and-stalk tactics, or following his highly distinctive spoor, will be the mainstays of most hunts.

Giraffes, by far, top the list of Earth’s tallest mammals. With just their legs, they can tower over most humans by about 6 feet. As such, the successful hunt of this beautiful and challenging animal will likely be a memory you would want to keep forever – and what better way than by preserving your trophy using expertly crafted taxidermy.

What is Giraffe taxidermy?

Giraffe taxidermy is the process used to create a three-dimensional replica of the animal for display purposes. The Giraffe’s skin is typically preserved and put atop a giraffe shaped manikin.

The term “taxidermy” comes from the Greek words taxis, meaning “movement,” and derma, meaning “skin,” hence the two words together form the modern English word. That’s why you can say that taxidermy implies “the motion of skin” in a very general sense.

This term is not too far off the mark, considering that many taxidermy techniques entail removing the specimen’s natural skin, reattaching it to an artificial body, and modifying it such that the combination looks natural.

These days, taxidermists need not only skills in carpentry, woodworking, tanning, moulding, and casting, but also in sculpture, painting, and sketching. Only the skin of the giraffe is used, both of which are natural materials.

The remaining bodily structures are artificial recreations in the form of a foam manikin. The manikin or shape, which contains the anatomy of each muscle and vein, is constructed from polyurethane foam; the eyes are made from glass; the eyelids are sculpted from clay; the soft tissues of the nose and mouth are sculpted out of the foam manikin.

As such, taxidermy is a complex and intricately crafted process, and works of taxidermy can be found in a wide variety of settings, including galleries, classrooms, shops, restaurants, private trophy rooms and museums.

Preparation & Packaging tips for a flawless Giraffe trophy

Aside from being the tallest mammal on Earth, the giraffe also happens to be the largest ruminant. Whether it be dry woods or a pretty dense low shrubveld, this majestic animal is at home in both.

The act of hunting a giraffe is only the first step in the lengthy process of mounting a trophy. The more you know, the more likely it is that your trophy creation will be a smashing success. Below are a few tips towards helping you prepare for a positive taxidermy process of your prized trophy.

Get your hide to the taxidermist as soon as possible to stop the spread of bacteria. Keep in mind that the speed with which bacteria multiply increases as the temperature rises. Bacteria could spread to the hair on the hide or cape if it isn’t sent to the taxidermist promptly.

Slipping refers to the gradual loss of hair on a cape or hide. Every year, a large number of trophy hunters suffer from slippage, ruining their carcasses beyond repair.

If you choose to skin the Giraffe, the hunter is responsible for correctly removing the cape (skin). Thus, it is essential that you acquire this skill before embarking on a hunt. Many a cape has been ruined by careless or unnecessary chopping by hunters.

Never cut the white areas, such as the armpits, off a giraffe cape. Follow the natural hairline as you trim. If you want a superb mount from your taxidermist, be sure to cut everything correctly.

The Giraffe taxidermist’s process and method

Life-Form uses only the finest materials, sourced from all around the world, to create its giraffe trophies. Because of the care and attention to detail put into the procedure, your giraffe trophy will be accurately captured in art form.

Shaving, or the “fleshing” phase, is the first step, followed by the concealment of any scars or other skin imperfections on the giraffe.

Skulls are cleaned, moulds are produced, and manikins are constructed to the specifications of the client.

Following these procedures, taxidermy becomes a living art form, and the finer points of the giraffe can be honed to perfection. As soon as rigorous quality checks have been performed, the packing process can begin, with each container being constructed to the highest standards of efficiency and still adhere to international standards.

Taking care of your Giraffe trophy

To help you keep your Giraffe trophies looking great for decades to come, we’ve created a brief list of straightforward, practical procedures.

• You should first dust your trophy once a week. To do this, use a feather duster or a soft, dry rag. This includes the picturesque habitat in where you hunted your Giraffe.
• Then, once a year, give the trophy a good clean. Mounts of both short- and long-haired trophies should be cleaned using a moist (but not drenched) rag wiped in the direction of the hair. It is important to use compressed air, a shop vac, or a hair dryer on the cool setting after cleaning the trophy.
• It is recommended that you utilize compressed air to push dust out of inaccessible areas while cleaning the habitat’s hard surfaces, such as rocks and driftwood. When doing so, be mindful not to disturb the more sensitive elements of the environment, such as the flowers and grasses.
• Giraffe trophies can be kept in good condition by wiping them down with a damp rag on a regular basis. Your trophy’s glass eyes can be restored to pristine condition with a little care and some common household glass cleaning solution and a Q-tip.
• As with the hair, the nose can be cleaned with a damp cloth. However, if you notice that a nose is lacking its authentic, moist look, you can apply a coat of clear sealant to bring back the shine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Giraffe taxidermy cost?

Please request a price from us via our website.

How long does Giraffe taxidermy take?

Depending on the giraffe trophy, the usual operating procedure can last anywhere from eight months to 12 months. Taxidermy is an art form that entails a complicated step-by-step process to ensure that each giraffe trophy is portrayed precisely and is of a high quality standard that will last you for the rest of your life.