government trophy

government trophy (plural government trophies)

1. A trophy (part or all of an animal taken as a prize by a hunter) that legally belongs to the government because the animal had protected status.
   • 1987, Cyrille de Klemm, Barbara J. Lausche, African Wildlife Laws, page 175:

     Any person who by any means obtains possession of any Government trophy is required to make a report forthwith to an authorised officer and deliver the item to the officer (sec. 39)

   • 2016, Didi Wamukoya, Dmitry Kornilov, Review of Tanzania's Wildlife Policies and Laws, page 28:

     For offences relating to possession, sale, purchase and government trophies, the burden of proving that the possession was lawful or the sale, purchase or other transaction was lawful or the accused had assumed possession of the trophy in order to comply with the requirements of the Act or that the trophy is not a government trophy, shall lie on the person charged.

   • 2017, Didi Wamukoya, Analysis of Botswana's Wildlife Policies and Laws, page 13:

     A rhinoceros horn is regarded as a government trophy and being in possession of one or transferring it or dealing in it is prohibited. Being in unlawful possession of a government trophy or failing to make a report of obtaining possession of a government trophy is also an offence.

While a government trophy can be part of all of a protected animal that is poached, the animal might also have been killed in self-defense or by mistake.