We give mother nature a helping hand by raising and rehabilitating orphaned and injured wildlife so they may be released back to the wild. Our 27-acre site includes a state-of-the-art animal care facility as well as sophisticated enclosures, allowing us to care for–and successfully release–more injured and orphaned animals.
Our Mission: Rescue, Rehabilitate, and Release
Our work is not possible without your support.
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What’s New
It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of Em, our beloved Bald Eagle, who passed away today.
Em has been a cherished member of the LTWC family for the past nine years. He brought so much inspiration to everyone who had the privilege of meeting him, leaving a lasting impression with his presence and strength.
In recent years, Em has struggled with severe arthritis and heart disease. Following the guidance of our avian veterinarians, he retired from public exhibition to prioritize his comfort and well-being. Despite these difficulties, Em has shown remarkable resilience. Earlier this year, we took him to UC Davis for his annual exam, where the veterinary team was amazed at how well he was managing despite his significant health issues.
Our veterinarian at LTWC often reminded us that Em was living beyond expectations, and he continued to defy the odds until the very end. Just this morning, he was bright, alert, and behaving as he always did. Today, however, his time with us came to an end.
We are taking Em to UC Davis for a necropsy to learn more about his health and passing, and we will keep you updated as we know more.
Em’s memory will always be a part of us, and we are incredibly grateful to the team who cared for him over the years. We invite you to share your memories of Em with us as we remember this incredible ambassador.
Thank you for all your support during this difficult time.
🍂 Fall into Wild Wonders! 🍂
Our virtual Wild Wonders are now live on YouTube! 🐦✨ Head to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care - Education (@LTWC-Education) and cozy up for the winter holidays at home while discovering how these amazing birds brave the cold.
🌟 Mountain Chickadees: Available through December
🦅 Red-tailed Hawk Project: Available through January
📽️ Watch now and see how they survive—whether by migrating or preparing ahead!
#LTWC #WildWonders #BirdEducation #WinterSurvival
Did you know? Providing food for the wildlife we care for costs over $45,000 every year—and that’s just for food! Essential expenses like medications, veterinary care, diagnostic tests, enclosure maintenance, and facility upgrades add even more to the cost of giving every animal the care it deserves.
Our busiest season is April to October, when orphaned and injured baby animals need us most. During these critical months, our team works from 7 AM to 9 PM to provide intensive care, requiring extra staffing, medications, and resources to meet the demand.
Days like today are critical to securing the funds we need to keep up with the demand during our peak season.
It’s not too late to help this #GivingTuesday! Your support ensures we can keep providing life-saving care—not just food, but everything our wildlife needs to thrive.
🌟 Donate today with the link in our bio!!
Every gift makes a difference!
This year, a two-week-old fawn arrived at our center emaciated and struggling to survive. Thanks to your support, we were able to give her the round-the-clock care, warmth, and specialized formulas she desperately needed. Today, she’s strong and free, back in the wild where she belongs. 🦌💚
But we’re not stopping there. With your generosity, we’re building a state-of-the-art fawn facility to care for over 35 fawns at a time—providing them with the chance to grow strong and thrive. This $150,000 nearly completed project is a critical step in meeting the growing need for wildlife care in our community.
This #GivingTuesday, your gift can help us make this vision a reality. Will you be the hero these animals need? Every donation brings us closer to our goal. Together, we can save more lives and ensure a brighter future for local wildlife. Link in our bio to donate!!
💫 Lifetime naming rights are available! Reach out to info@ltwc.org to make a lasting impact.
This #GivingTuesday, YOU have the power to create miracles for wildlife! 🌟
You are the heartbeat of the work we do at LTWC. Every donation you make helps us provide life-saving care to injured and orphaned wildlife. Today, we want to share how your generosity is making a difference, like in the case of this special raccoon:
In 2024, we admitted 24 Northern Raccoons, each with its own incredible journey. One raccoon, found by students from Lake Tahoe Community College, urgently needed our help. He was discovered lying helplessly on a deck, unable to move. Our veterinarian found deep puncture wounds on his ears and a severe injury to his tail, with the possibility of amputation—likely from an attack. His prognosis was uncertain, but we never gave up on him.
This is just one example of how your support saves lives and helps protect our precious wildlife. Your kindness enables us to keep doing this vital work, one animal at a time.
Will you help us make more miracles happen today?
To Learn More & Donate, Visit the link in our bio!!
🌟 Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday—A Day to Make a Difference 🌟
Tomorrow, you have the power to give wildlife a second chance. Our goal is to raise $20,000 to continue vital work for Tahoe’s injured and orphaned animals. And thanks to the generosity of our board of directors, every dollar you donate—up to $5,750—will be matched!
That means your gift will have twice the power to heal, protect, and give a second chance to the wildlife that call Tahoe home. 🦅🐻
For over 40 years, we’ve been dedicated to returning wildlife to their natural habitats, where they play an essential role in Tahoe’s ecosystem. Your support helps us:
-Provide urgent care and rehabilitation for animals in need
-Improve our facilities and infrastructure
-Inspire our community to live in harmony with nature
This Giving Tuesday, be the light that guides these animals back to the wild. Will you help us reach our $20,000 goal and make a lasting impact on the future of Tahoe’s wildlife?
To Learn More & Donate, Visit the Link in our Bio!! #wildlife #animal #givingtuesday #tahoe
Porky is gearing up for a Thanksgiving feast! Can you guess her favorite treat? 🦃🍂 Let us know your guesses in the comments!
Join us this afternoon for Wild Wonders: Red-tailed Hawks! 🦅
At 2 PM, we`re hosting Bryce Robinson from the Red-tailed Hawk Project for a look into the incredible diversity of these adaptable raptors.
Special In-Person Event:
Come to our center at 1 PM for a meet-and-greet with Phoenix, our ambassador Red-tailed Hawk, then stay for our watch party!
Prefer to watch from home? No problem—just follow this zoom link below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87236546632?pwd=bLlQ9gb8sNhOJe3a2zKaD8y5uodjSI.1
Free Admission, but donations are greatly appreciated. All donations support our wildlife hospital.
📍 Location: 1551 Al Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe (multi-purpose room inside)
🚗 Limited parking – please carpool or bike
🐶 No dogs, please
Seating is limited, so arrive early!
#WildWonders #RedTailedHawk #RaptorEducation #LTWC #BirdsOfPrey #WildlifeResearch
This hungry little Steller’s Jay is one of many orphaned birds that came through LTWC during our busy season. Baby Steller’s Jays rely entirely on their parents for food and protection, gaping like this to signal they’re ready to eat—but when they’re orphaned, that’s where we step in. 🐦💙
Our team provides round-the-clock care, including species-specific diets, hydration, and a safe place to grow. Every step is designed to help them thrive and prepare for life back in the wild. 🌲✨
We’re proud to serve our community by giving wildlife the care they need. Thank you for being part of this journey!
🦅 Did you know Red-tailed Hawks are the most common hawk in the U.S. with 16 unique subspecies? Phoenix sure thinks he`s pretty unique!
Join us November 24th for a virtual presentation with Bryce Robinson to dive into the Red-tailed Hawk Project’s fascinating research. Want to join us in person? Come early at 1 PM to our center and meet our ambassador Red-tail, Phoenix, and watch the presentation with others! 📽️
Prefer to watch from home? No problem—register now at LTWC.org/events.
Free Admission, but donations are greatly appreciated. All donations support our wildlife hospital.
📍 Location: 1551 Al Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe (multi-purpose room inside)
🚗 Limited parking – please carpool or bike
🐶 No dogs, please
Seating is limited, so arrive early!
#WildWonders #RedTailedHawk #RaptorEducation #LTWC #BirdsOfPrey #WildlifeResearch
Did you guess right? It’s a Humboldt Flying Squirrel! 🐿️
Patient #24-182 arrived at our center as an orphan, needing specialized care to prepare for life back in the wild. Through weeks of dedicated rehabilitation—including a nutritious diet, enrichment to encourage natural behaviors, and plenty of time to build strength—this little flyer was ready for the big adventure.
We’re thrilled to share that this amazing squirrel has been successfully released back to the wild where it belongs! 🌲✨
Can you guess what animal this is?🐿 This critter is a master of the skies... or should we say, the trees! Can you figure out what it is?
Hint #1: It glides gracefully between trees, covering distances of up to 150 feet!
Hint #2: This nocturnal creature has big eyes that help it see in the dark.
Hint #3: It has a furry membrane stretching from wrist to ankle, making it an expert at flight.
What animal do you think it is? Comment below with your guess! Answer will be revealed tomorrow👇
Join us for Wild Wonders: Red-tailed Hawks! 🦅
This Sunday, November 24, at 2 PM, we`re hosting Bryce Robinson from the Red-tailed Hawk Project for a look into the incredible diversity of these adaptable raptors.
Special In-Person Event:
Come to our center at 1 PM for a meet-and-greet with Phoenix, our ambassador Red-tailed Hawk, then stay for our watch party!
Prefer to watch from home? No problem—register now at LTWC.org/events.
Free Admission, but donations are greatly appreciated. All donations support our wildlife hospital.
📍 Location: 1551 Al Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe (multi-purpose room inside)
🚗 Limited parking – please carpool or bike
🐶 No dogs, please
Seating is limited, so arrive early!
#WildWonders #RedTailedHawk #RaptorEducation #LTWC #BirdsOfPrey #WildlifeResearch
Did you know? As the weather cools, porcupines like Porky don’t hibernate, but they do go into a state called torpor! 🦔🍃
In torpor, a porcupine’s activity level decreases, and they conserve energy by resting more and slowing their metabolism. Unlike true hibernators, they still wake up and forage for food on milder days. Porky’s cozy wine barrel is her perfect retreat for these chilly months!
🌟 Release Recap! 🌟
This year, we cared for two Red-breasted Sapsuckers, both rescued after window collisions. We’re thrilled to report both made a full recovery and are back in the wild! 🎉
Here`s Sapsucker #24-333, who spent six days in care with pain management and rest. Once he was bright and alert, he was ready to return to his natural habitat. 🌲❤️
Did you know? Window strikes are one of the most common reasons birds are admitted to wildlife centers! While not all are fatal, many birds need time and care to recover. You can help prevent these incidents by adding decals to your windows, making them more visible to birds. And since thousands of birds migrate at night, reducing outdoor lights saves energy and helps guide them safely!
🚨 Missed LTWC’s first Wild Wonders virtual program? No worries! You can still catch it for a limited time. 🎥 Watch now: https://buff.ly/3Yx956W and learn from Dr. Carrie Branch about Mountain Chickadee spatial cognition and their incredible survival skills during Tahoe`s tough winters. ❄️🐦
✨ Up next: Wild Wonders featuring the Red-tailed Hawk Project with Bryce Robinson from Cornell University! 📅 Save the date: November 24th at 2 PM PST. Register at LTWC.org/events to join virtually, and stay tuned for details about our in-person watch party, with special guest star, Phoenix, our ambassador Red-tailed Hawk! 🦅💫
#LTWC #WildWonders #MountainChickadee #RedTailedHawk #TahoeWildlife #Conservation
Join us today at 2 PM (Pacific Standard Time) for our virtual Wild Wonders Program on brainy Mountain Chickadees w/ Dr. Carrie Branch! Just check out the zoom link in the description or register on our website at LTWC.org/events!
Wild Wonders: Mountain Chickadees
Time: Oct 27, 2024 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://buff.ly/4eWxI3N
#MountainChickadees #VirtualEvent #birds #bird #nature #birdsofinstagram #wildlifeeducation #wildlife #education #conservation #wildlifeconservation #nature #animals #wildlifeoutreach #wildlife #wildliferehab
🌨️ How do tiny chickadees survive Tahoe’s harsh winters? By hiding lots of seeds!
Join us for a virtual presentation by Dr. Carrie Branch this Sunday, October 27th at 2 PM to learn how these bird brains remember where they put all those seeds. Prefer to join in person? We`ll be streaming the presentation in our multi-purpose room. Don’t miss it!
Free Admission, but donations are greatly appreciated. All donations support our wildlife hospital.
📍 Location: 1551 Al Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe
🚗 Limited parking – please carpool or bike
🐶 No dogs, please
Seating is limited, so arrive early!
Learn more on our website (link in bio!)
🐦✨ #Chickadees #WinterSurvival #WildlifeEducation
WE’RE HIRING! Join us in making a difference for Tahoe’s wildlife as our full-time Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager! Bring your dedication to a cause that matters—apply today! 🐻🦅
Visit the link in our bio to learn more and apply by November 11, 2024 for priority consideration.
Nap time in the mammal nursery! 💤
Our baby mammals spend most of their day sleeping and eating—cue the cutest cuddle puddles you can imagine! If you ever find an orphaned animal like these little ones, be sure to contact your local wildlife rehabilitator right away.
Kids may feel the urge to care for these animals themselves, but it`s essential to teach them to respect wildlife by seeking professional help. At LTWC, we’re happy to chat with young rescuers about helping wildlife safely—and they’ll leave with a smile and a sticker! 🐾💚
Coexisting
Living with Wildlife in the Tahoe Basin
The Lake Tahoe region is known as being one of the most beautiful places on earth, known for its stunning natural splendor. It’s no surprise that so many people chose to live and visit here! Wildlife are a fundamental part of our region’s environment, and knowing that we are sharing the area with so many beautiful animals is part of what makes this area so special for many of us. Yet, sharing our space with wildlife can bring its own set of challenges. Our bears are adept at getting human food from trash containers, woodpeckers can become house-peckers, and your dog may just come home with a face full of quills if she gets too close to a porcupine. Click below to learn more about the most common human-wildlife conflicts in our area and what you can do to avoid or address these issues yourself.
