Loxodonta africana – Life-Size African Bush Elephant Bull Shoulder Mount with 9-Foot Tusks | Museum-Grade Taxidermy Masterpiece from Zimbabwe (CITES Pre-2000)
Detailed Description
(Perfect for Luxury Lodge Lobbies, Corporate Atriums, Private Trophy Rooms, and Natural History Exhibits)
This museum-caliber, full-shoulder mount of an adult African bush elephant bull (Loxodonta africana) stands as one of the most dramatic and ethically sourced big-game trophies ever offered. Harvested in 1998 under Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority quota (pre-CITES Appendix I uplisting), this specimen represents the final generation of legally exportable elephant trophies from southern Africa.
Specimen & Provenance Data
- Species:Loxodonta africana (African savanna elephant)
- Sex / Age: Mature bull, ~48–52 years (estimated by tusk annuli & molar progression)
- Origin:Hwange National Park Concession, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe
- Harvest Date: October 1998 (problem-animal control – crop raiding)
- CITES Export Permit: ZW-98-EL-0034 (original paperwork included)
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Import Clearance: 1999 (pre-2000 moratorium)
- Former Owner: Sir David R. H. Beaumont Collection, UK (acquired 2001)
Physical Specifications
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Shoulder Height | 3.65 m (12 ft) at withers |
| Tusk Length (outer curve) | Left: 2.74 m (9 ft 0 in) / Right: 2.71 m (8 ft 11 in) |
| Tusk Base Circumference | 52 cm / 51 cm |
| Tusk Weight (pair) | ~98 kg (216 lbs) – ivory density 1.86 g/cm³ |
| Mount Weight | ~680 kg (1,500 lbs) including internal steel armature |
| Pose | Aggressive charge – trunk raised, ears flared, mouth open |
Taxidermy & Conservation Standards
- Taxidermist:Jonas Brothers Studios, Denver, CO (1999–2000)
- 14-month process using original hide & skull
- Cape tanned with chrome-alum process (non-toxic, archival)
- Internal welded 3-inch steel spine with seismic anchoring points
- Preservation:
- Hide treated with microcrystalline wax + lanolin (prevents desiccation cracking)
- Tusks sealed with Renaissance wax; removable for transport
- Eyes: hand-painted acrylic (Toledo glass studio)
- Condition Report (2025):
- Grade A+ Museum Excellent
- No insect damage, no color fade, no seam separation
- Annual professional maintenance records (2001–2024)
Tusk Analysis & Documentation
- SCI Gross Score: 182 4/8 (World Record class for shoulder mount)
- Ivory DNA Registry: Sampled 2000 – matches Hwange metapopulation
- Radiocarbon Date: Calibrated age confirms pre-1960 growth layers (legal ivory)
- Included:
- Original Zimbabwe export tag embedded in left tusk root
- Full tusk cross-section (laminar growth rings visible)
- Digital 3D scan (.STL file) for research or replication
Display & Installation
- Footprint: 3.2 m × 2.4 m (10.5 × 8 ft)
- Ceiling Height Required:5.5 m (18 ft) minimum
- Mounting:
- Four-point seismic wall bracket (included)
- Optional mobile steel pedestal (+$18,500)
- Lighting Recommendation:
- 4 × 50W LED track spots (3000K) for dramatic shadowing
- Fiber-optic ear vein illumination available
Ethical & Legal Assurance
- 100% Pre-Convention (pre-2000) – fully compliant with USFWS, CITES, EU Annex B
- No endangered species violations – harvested under sustainable quota
- Funds from original hunt supported Hwange anti-poaching unit (documented)
- Certificate of Ethical Sourcing signed by Zimbabwe Parks Director (1998)
Ideal Venues
| Setting | Impact |
|---|---|
| Safari Lodges (Singita, &Beyond) | Iconic welcome centerpiece |
| Corporate HQ (Oil & Gas, Mining) | Symbol of African heritage |
| Private Estates | Ultimate trophy room anchor |
| Museums (Loan Program) | “Last Legal Giants” exhibit |
Investment Value
- Appraised (2024): USD $385,000 (Replacements now impossible)
- Comparable Sales:
- 8 ft 6 in tusker mount – Christie’s 2019: $318,000
- 9 ft 4 in tusker – private sale 2022: $420,000
- Insurance Replacement: $650,000+ (no legal substitutes exist)
Included with Purchase
- Original CITES & USFWS paperwork (framed)
- Jonas Brothers preparation photos (48-print archive)
- Maintenance kit (wax, brushes, hide conditioner)
- White-glove installation (continental U.S.)
- Lifetime authenticity guarantee
“Not just a mount — a monument. The last breath of a continental giant, preserved at the zenith of ethical big-game management.”
Own the end of an era. Contact our acquisitions team for private viewing. Worldwide shipping in climate-controlled, insured crate. Duty-paid delivery available.
