I recently bought two tanned river otters. When I got them in the mail I found out they were not tanned well and are really hard. Is there anything that can be done to save them and could anyone do it for me at a reasonable price?
Don't worry about the hardness. It was tanned but probally not tumbled to make it soft. I also doubt it was oiled but can't tell from here. What needs to be done is that the hide needs to be rehydrated in a salt brine. It's been covered here many times and refrig over night. That should make the skin soft enough for you to get your measurements. After you get what is needed freeze the hide till the manikin comes in.