Alligator meat can spoil quickly under warm conditions, making it unsafe to eat. It is important to get your alligator under 45 degrees F within four hours of harvesting it. To do so, we recommend the following:
- When the alligator is harvested, cool it by covering the carcass with wet material such as blankets or burlap sacks. Moving blankets are an effective and inexpensive option.
- Keep the material wet until you reach a refrigerator, or can apply bags of ice.
- As soon as possible, completely cover the carcass with bags of ice.
- Take the carcass directly to a processor or other facility where refrigeration is available.