The invention relates to a method for preserving animal cartilage tissue, in particular porcine cartilage tissue, comprising the following steps: a) providing animal cartilage tissue, b) single or repeated treating of the animal cartilage tissue by means of a solution of one or a plurality of alkali metal halide salts, which is hypertonic in respect of the cartilage tissue cells, c) a single or repeated treating of the animal cartilage tissue by means of an oxidation means selected from the group consisting of peroxides, hypochlorites, percarboxylic acid, ozone, and any mixtures thereof, and d) single or repeated treating of the animal cartilage tissue by means of a solvent, which is completely miscible with water at 20°C, wherein the animal cartilage tissue is not brought into contact with an alkaline medium having a pH value of 12 or more during the method.
