Stuffed African giraffe makes road trip to Tucson
May 28, 2013, 4:36 PM
PHOENIX — A 14-foot giraffe that was shot and killed in South Africa three years ago now has a permanent home in Tucson.
The stuffed giraffe now sits in the main room at the International Wildlife Museum in Tucson. It arrived Tuesday after a 900-mile road trip from Sacramento, where it was taxidermied and prepared for the trip.
Museum director Richard White said he was thrilled when the hunter’s father offered to donate the animal.
“We certainly were interested in it and finally once the taxidermy work was done, it was delivered to us.”
The taxidermy work took about three years to complete.
The giraffe now joins a female giraffe already on display.
“We have built a pathway under so kids can walk under the giraffe”, said White.
A 19-year-old woman reportedly shot and killed the animal during a family hunting trip. Giraffes can be legally hunted in Africa, even though it’s pricey. After spending at least $7,000 to preserve it before shipping it to the U.S., the animal made it to the taxidermist in Sacramento.
The total cost of the gifted giraffe is approximately $30,000.
