Methods of making high molecular weight hyaluronates are disclosed. The methods include contacting a hyaluronate-containing source with an acid to make an acidic hyaluronate suspension, contacting that suspension with an anionic ion exchange medium in the presence of an acidic buffer, and thereafter contacting the medium with an acidic buffer having a higher salt content to desorb the hyaluronate from the medium. The methods are amenable for isolating hyaluronate from such sources as avian (e.g., chicken, duck, turkey, or goose) eggshells and connective tissues of animals.