Please don’t lecture on legality but I have a tiger hide restoration question
The backstory.
I have a tiger hide my dad purchased when he was working in Thailand in the mid-late 70’s. At the time he was frequently going around the region for meetings and began purchasing local made rugs to have or sell when he returned to the states. He found it through a person he’d begun sourcing rugs from in India I believe. He always told me he smuggled it in between a bunch of rugs he shipped together, and I grew up with it tacked up on my bedroom wall. I had it throughout college and sort of foolishly (but totally worth it if you catch my drift) used it as my bedroom rug. I feel guilty about it currently sitting in a box and would like to do what I can to help keep it a quality family heirloom.
I know it would be illegal to do anything commercially or transport across lines, etc. I do not intend to do anything with it except pass it down. Given he claims he smuggled it there will be no proof it was imported through whatever legal channels were available when he got it.
The question.
Would a professional taxidermist realistically be willing - for cash, if preferred - to do some restoration work, or at least some kid of consult to help me understand how to maintain it?
I’m not sure if there is an obligation to report it to authorities, or violate some taxidermist honor code.
I don’t think I will post a picture here but any advice on my question would help appreciated!
Thanks