Paradox,
Looks like you are starting your own church
I tried positioning Trapper with a stick but waited too late (15 minutes or so) so her arms aren't perfect but I think she will still display well. I am not really concerned about loosing the red (she had started loosing patterning before she died) but will she turn yellow instead of white? More of a curiosity than anything of real concern since I will finish the preservation with the alcohol in any case. I want to keep this simple but don't want the formaline as the final preservative.
I notice you had handling instructions but nothing about shipping. The container I will use will not be the final one so it won't be sealed. Any suggestions on how to immobilize Trapper for the trip (USPS)? I know foam rubber won't do well but was thinking about bubble wrap if it won't become sticky in the alcohol.
myopsida,
I had planned to reread Steve's preservation guideline before I started the procedure (he mentions injecting the organs) but felt rushed when she actually died because she was so jelly like. I did go back and read the part about injecting and buffering but it was really too late. The formaline I have is already diluted but I don't know the PH. I should test it if I ever plan to do this again but I bought it (mail order) not knowing it was 10 x stronger than what I usually use (discovered before use fortunately). I purchased the weaker brand for use on live fish (seahorses) because I was uncomfortable properly diluting this stuff and really don't like formaldahyde at all

. Needless to say, preserving Trapper gave me a way to get rid of most of it without just dumping it (which was also a concern).