Fire at Trophy Warehouse in Zimbabwe Bulawayo

Heard news earlier this week that there has been a fire at a trophy warehouse in Bulawayo. Word of mouth from Zimbabwe right now is that client trophies from HHK, ZimAfrica Safaris and another safari company have had losses. The rumor is that it was arson and they are questioning a suspect. If I get any more details, I'll post them.

Thanks for the news Lori! Have not heard anything. Anyone with more info on this please share it with us, thanks.

All,
I have just sent a email to my exporter in Bulawayo asking them if they have any further information. Will let you when I hear back.

That is sad news indeed. Hope it is better than it sounds.

Originally Posted by richteb

All,
I have just sent a email to my exporter in Bulawayo asking them if they have any further information. Will let you when I hear back.

Thanks richteb.

Update. I have received an email from my outfitter in Bulawayo. At this stage they have not heard of any fire. As my trophys from last years hunt are sitting with the exporter in Bulawayo awaiting paperwork you can understand that I am a little worried. The exporter is Outbound Exports and I have not yet received a response to my email. My outfitter is going to ring them to find out if they know more. Will keep you all updated.

I have just spoken to Tracy at Safariland Taxidermy in Bulawayo. The fire was in one of the shipping companies warehouses. It is not the one used by Safariland and do not yet have the name of the shipping company. I have been talking to a couple of PH's in Bulawayo this morning and will pass along if I receive any updates.

I have just gotten off from the phone with PH George Hallamore. He confirmed the fire in Bulawayo and indicated it was at "Freight Consultants".

Thanks Tim for getting that information.

Update.

To All Parties Concerned

REPORT ON FIRE AT FREIGHT CONSULTANTS

We regret to advise that on 3rd February there was a devastating fire at Freight Consultants premises where your trophies were being stored pending export.
The premises were closed and alarmed at 16.25 hours. At 18.20 hours the alarm was activated and the security monitoring company, on arrival at the premises, reported a fire. The fire brigade was called out at 18.22 hours and they responded immediately. The factory was monitored by CCTV as well.
As the warehouse stored mainly cases and cartons of hunting trophies, the fire spread uncontrollably. By the time they managed to put the fire out, about 95% of the 450-500 cases of trophies were destroyed.
Numerous shipments were being held back as a result of US Fish and Wildlife seizing shipments where the CITES export permit did not have a year of export quota number. Shipments which had elephant, leopard and crocodile were held back until National Parks were in a position to issue export permits with a year of export quota number reflected. There was a further delay as the computer in the National Parks, Bulawayo permits office had a problem. There is only one computer in the permits office in Bulawayo on which permits can be issued. They have not been able to issue permits the whole of January. So some shipments were held back for four months (October to January) waiting for replacement permits bearing the year of export quota number to be issued.
At present Freight Consultants are moving the in tact cases that escaped the fire to another warehouse. They will then try and salvage as much a possible such as ivory and a small amount of trophies. It should be borne in mind that Freight Consultants have been instructed not to tamper with any trophies until investigations have been finalised.
The Zimbabwe operators and Taxidermists whose clients were affected are as follows:
ALLADALE ENTERPRISESMATUPULA HUNTERS
COLLETT'S WILDLIFE ARTISTRY MAZUNGA SAFARIS
GEORGIA SAFARIS NENGASHA SAFARIS
HHK SAFARIS SAFARILAND TAXIDERMY
LODZI HUNTERS TAXIDERMY ENTERPRISES
LOWVELD SAFARIS ZIMAFRICA SAFARIS
MALILANGWE MATABELELAND TAXIDERMY
The above operators represent approximately 200 clients.
We consider it appropriate to just give you a background of Freight Consultants. Lily Milne the owner of Freight Consultants has been handling the export of hunting trophies since 1982 firstly with Cargo Services for 23 years until 2005. Freight Consultants was then established. In excess of 15,000 shipments have been exported successfully by them during this period of 30 years.
Please bear in mind, a large number of clients have been affected and we respectfully request your patience and emphasise that we understand and empathise with your anxiety on the status of your shipment.

As and when we have more information we will keep you informed.
Yours faithfully,
FREIGHT CONSULTANTS

That is just a heart breaker! Sorry to all affected

Sorry to hear this, have they determined whether it was arson?

Thanks Richteb for posting the update. We received the same email for one of our hunting clients that has trophies that could be involved. Very devastating. I know his trophies were already paid for and were awaiting shipment. Hard to put a value on your trophies as they are "priceless" and they can never be "replaced" but wondering if they had some type of insurance policy in place for such an event???

Thanks Richteb for the update. Just tragic for everyone affected... Hope the investigation will reveal the cause of the fire if they don't know already.

Sends shivers down your spine.

Very sad news. That is a lot of people and African hunting stories that just changed for the worse.

Yes, I agree, the loss of all those trophys is very sad and no doubt there are some very devastated hunters out there. Reading between the lines I am guessing that this event was not accidental. And who ever is responsible should suffer misery for a long long time.

As far as there being any sort of insurance claim process available, well I would not hold my breath as very seriously doubt that such a thing exists over there.

On the bright side, and I don't mean to sound selfish, at least is seem that my stuff was no longer there. What a relief.

Man, that is terrible news!!!

I hate to hear it when CITES animals are involved because it likely meant a lifetime of savings for some very special animals for some folks!!!

Just received a photo from the fire - so devastating!

This raises an interesting (to me anyway!) subject. Assuming the trophies were insured, what amount were they insured for? The taxidermy costs? The trophy fee paid for the animal? The cost of the hunt to get the animal, along with trophy fees and taxidermy? Likely not the latter, even though that would be the true measure of the loss. My guess is that you'd be lucky to collect the taxidermy costs.

I'll have to start reading those insurance policies I guess.

Originally Posted by safari gal

Just received a photo from the fire - so devastating!

Hard to look at! Can't imagine the loss for all of the hunters who were waiting for their trophies.