Can I Start an Alligator Farm?

October 25,  2018

Question: There was once an alligator farm in Los Angeles. It’s not there anymore but I am wondering what it would take to start an alligator farm in California. What kind of permits would I need to raise them for meat and their hides? Could I legally bring alligators into the state or import them from other states that allow them? (Kent, Florida)

Answer: Although it is long gone, yes, you are correct about the past existence of an alligator farm in California! Research indicates there was a place called Los Angeles Alligator Farm that opened near the turn of the last century in Southern California. It persisted in one form or another for several decades before closing due to a decline in visitors. It was more of a tourist attraction than a place where alligators were raised and sold for meat and leather, which is what most people think of when they hear the word “farm.”

Today, there are three primary laws that make your business idea non-viable. In 1991, the California Legislature enacted section 5062 of the Fish and Game Code (FGC), which states that no permit shall be issued for the operation of a farm for alligators or any species of the family crocodilidae if the animals are kept for the use and sale of the meat or hides. FGC, section 2118(f), states it is unlawful to prohibit import, transport, possess, or release alive into this state any wild animal of the family crocodilidae. California Penal Code, section 653o, states that commencing on Jan. 1, 2020, it shall be unlawful to import into this state for commercial purposes, to possess with intent to sell, or to sell within the state, the dead body, or any part or product thereof, of a crocodile or alligator.

There are plenty of permitted facilities in California that have alligators (including zoos, sanctuaries and other educational facilities), but the law prohibits any of these facilities from raising the animals to sell the meat or hides. Laws that prohibit possession of alligators and crocodiles unfortunately don’t stop some people from acquiring these animals or bringing them into the state illegally. California’s wildlife officers have at least a few cases per year of illegal possession. Most people who acquire alligators and crocodiles illegally have no idea how to properly care for them, which creates an animal welfare issue. We also don’t want non-native animals – especially predatory ones – being accidentally or intentionally released into California’s wild.

In short, current law prohibits you from acquiring a permit to farm alligators, import them or even possess them in California, and by January 2020, you wouldn’t be able to sell any parts thereof, regardless of where they came from.

So much for that idea. 

So no alligator meat in CA after 2020? I wonder what is the rationale for that.

So no alligator meat in CA after 2020? I wonder what is the rationale for that.

Just the typical California governmental response on a resource thy have no clue about. Dang Sierra Club!

I was on an Alaskan Fishing Trip and one of our guys is a card carrying Sierra Club member and he has gotten in the business of pestering guides and why they hunt and also got into my two buddies, who were at the time the captain and deckhand of the boat, about their going to South Carolina to go alligator hunting after fishing season closed. He stated he was help introducing South Carolina legislation to stop them from hunting. Their response to him was so precious. They stated the only reason why they are going to hunt them there was they aren't supposed to be that far north and South Carolina doesn't want them in their waterways.

We have them here in Texas, even up north where I live and they like to follow kayaks around. This year my buddy has seen four of them on some of our big lakes east of where I live.

Alligator hunting is on my bucket list!!!!

If it was allowed Clear Lake would end up like Lake Placid!

I'll bet Andy could cook up some fantastic deep fried alligator!

Alligator hunting is on my bucket list!!!!

The guy I dove with this summer hunts gators off his airboats...and pigs and all kinds of other stuff...

https://www.ammoland.com/2015/12/swimming-with-and-wrestling-gators-aint-no-thang-for-father-and-son-xsight-winners/#axzz5VRSqzex2

https://www.ammoland.com/2014/09/swamp-shank-in-the-bayous-of-louisiana-on-sundays-pigman-the-series/#axzz5VRSqzex2

 

Alligator hunting is on my bucket list!!!!

The guy I dove with this summer hunts gators off his airboats...and pigs and all kinds of other stuff...

https://www.ammoland.com/2015/12/swimming-with-and-wrestling-gators-aint-no-thang-for-father-and-son-xsight-winners/#axzz5VRSqzex2

https://www.ammoland.com/2014/09/swamp-shank-in-the-bayous-of-louisiana-on-sundays-pigman-the-series/#axzz5VRSqzex2

 

 

Brings back memories of Captain Jack 

In the early 80's, I tasted alligator meat at a restaurant in Sunnyvale. It was illegal to serve at that time. The meat was tough probably because the chef overcooked it. I understand wanting to keep the reptiles out of the state's waters. However, there are people keeping them as pets in their homes illegally.

i 8 gator @ La Fondue in Saratoga.  Their "wild things" platter.  wasn't terribly delicious.

https://www.lafondue.com/menu/

would probably make a shitty pet, couldn't walk it or naything

I’ve had gator bites before. Don’t remember exactly where, somewhere on the gulf coast near Pensacola. I wasn’t terribly impressed.

That said making it illegal to serve or sell gator parts is silly. California is dumb.

i 8 gator @ La Fondue in Saratoga.  Their "wild things" platter.  wasn't terribly delicious.

https://www.lafondue.com/menu/

would probably make a shitty pet, couldn't walk it or naything

I had it there years ago as well.  I recall it being unremarkable. 

My wife bought me some gator jerky a while back.  I almost threw up.  Nasty stuff.

Might be showing my age but I remember when you could buy Caimans in pet stores. Mom always said no, especially after my iguana got loose in her beauty shop.

Might be showing my age but I remember when you could buy Caimans in pet stores. Mom always said no, especially after my iguana got loose in her beauty shop.

I had one as a pet