Our Process at Savuti Taxidermy: Step-by-Step

At Savuti, we take pride in a well-structured, efficient system that allows our skilled taxidermists the space and time they need to deliver world-class craftsmanship.

Our processes are built around quality—from the moment your trophy arrives to the final touches—ensuring every stage is supervised and carefully checked to maintain the highest standards.

Proper field preperation is key!

Proper field preparation of animal skins after harvesting is critical to preserving the quality of the trophy and ensuring a smooth taxidermy and export process. Immediately after the animal is downed, the clock starts ticking — heat, bacteria, and insects can quickly begin to degrade the skin, leading to slippage, hair loss, and irreversible damage. The first step is to minimize the time between the kill and the initial skinning. Ideally, the animal should be moved to a shaded, clean area for field dressing as soon as possible. In hot African climates, especially, this urgency cannot be overstated.

Skinning must be done carefully, with a clear understanding of how the taxidermist will mount the animal later. For shoulder mounts, it’s crucial to leave enough skin beyond the front shoulders to allow for proper mounting, including skin from the brisket and up the back of the neck to the base of the skull. For full-body mounts or rugs, a dorsal or ventral incision (depending on species and mount style) may be needed. All cuts should be clean and deliberate to avoid unnecessary holes or damage to the hide. Extra care should be taken around the face, ears, lips, and tail, as these areas are most prone to rot and are also the most difficult to repair once damaged.

Once skinned, the hide should be fleshed — removing all meat, fat, and connective tissue — as thoroughly as possible. This not only helps the salt penetrate more effectively but also reduces the chance of bacterial growth. After fleshing, the hide should be liberally salted with fine, non-iodized salt. The salt should cover every surface, especially folds and creases, and it should be changed every 24–48 hours until the hide is completely dry and stiff. In remote areas where refrigeration or freezer access is limited, salting is the most reliable method of preservation before the hide can be handed off to the taxidermist or dip-and-pack agent.

Throughout this process, the key is cleanliness, attention to detail, and urgency. Dirty environments, improper cuts, or skipped steps will almost always result in degraded trophies. Working with a trained skinner or professional PH (Professional Hunter) can make all the difference in maintaining the integrity of the hide. Good field preparation sets the stage for a high-quality final mount and greatly reduces the risk of issues arising during taxidermy or international shipment.