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.
Make a DonationGiving Nature a Helping Hand
Rescue
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What’s New
It's a Friday Roundup of this week's baby intake. LTWC received a tiny short-tailed weasel, 3 brewer's blackbirds, a coyote pup, 4 desert cottontail bunnies, a stellar's jay, a ground squirrel, a teeny chipmunk, and 3 finches.
We appreciate your donations that support LTWC during baby season.
https://ltwc.org/babies/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare x2273
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #BabySeason #wildlifeheroes #FridayRoundup #LotsofMouthstoFeed #fridayvibes #SoTiny #weasel #coyotepup
LTWC’s annual Art for Animals campaign is proud to auction an original 12” x 12” oil painting of bear cub Oak by artist Debbie Griest, depicting Oak’s curiosity and playful nature.
LTWC rescued Oak in May 2022 after being orphaned in Oak Run, California. Oak immediately bonded with another bear cub Tule, and could often be seen wrestling, chasing, and socializing with each other on the LTWC webcams. Due to not showing the appropriate fear response to humans and being deemed non-releasable, Oak, along with her friend Tule, have now been successfully transferred to a new bear habitat at the Sequoia Park Zoo, where they’ll continue to grow their friendship and share their stories.
You can bid on this painting through the LTWC Art for Animal auction website: https://charityauction.bid/LTWC-Art-for-Animals
The Art for Animals auction will end July 1st, 2023, so place your bid now for this one-of-a-kind piece of art. All painting proceeds go directly to LTWC to support our efforts to save wildlife.
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #blackbears #Oak #ArtForAnimals #ArtAuction
It’s Throwback Thursday! Let’s remember Oak’s love for the tire swing. This is not current footage but images captured from the security cameras during the fall and winter months.
Oak & Tule had been assessed as non-releasable, meaning they would not survive in the wild. Throughout Oak’s rehabilitation journey, she unfortunately never displayed the appropriate fear response to humans. Tule is immune compromised and has been unable to fight off a fungal skin condition that we often see in Black Bears. After several tests and medical exams, it was determined that Tule’s coat would not regrow, which is essential for him to survive on his own.
Both cubs are acclimating to their new home in Sequoia Park Zoo’s bear habitat. Animal care staff are monitoring the health and comfort of the cubs before introducing them to visitors. Guests can expect to start seeing them in late June. We are very happy they have found this amazing forever home.
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #blackbears #sequoiaparkzoo #Tule #Oak #bearcamera #ThrowBackThursday
Last week this adorable infant raccoon, 23-119, was approximately only 4 days old when found alone. She is bottle-fed formula every 2.5 hours during the day and enjoys 1 overnight feeding. We expect her to be in LTWC’s care until the fall.
We appreciate any donations to aid in her long-term care. Thank you!
https://ltwc.org/babies/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare x2273
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #Ilovelaketahoe #SouthLakeTahoe #BabySeason #WildlifeHeroes #UrbanWildlife #SoTiny #BabyRaccoons #raccoonlove #ItTakesAVillage #wednesdaymood
How do you bottle feed a tiny baby chipmunk? Very carefully.
If you find an injured or orphaned animal please call us at (530) 577-2273. If we are unable to answer your call, please leave a message.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare x2273
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #Ilovelaketahoe #SouthLakeTahoe #BabySeason #WildlifeHeroes #Chipmunks #UrbanWildlife #SoTiny #tuesdaymorning
A month ago, this adult female Bald Eagle, 23-81, was injured in a fight with two ospreys and subsequently fished out of Lake Almanor, CA, with a net. She has a puncture wound on her left wing which has been healing. The flight area gives her room to exercise and build up wing strength.
Female Bald Eagles are larger than males. Their distinctive white head and tail feathers appear when eagles mature at 4 or 5 years old.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare x2273
If you find an injured or orphaned animal please call us at (530) 577-2273.
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #Ilovelaketahoe #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeheroes #raptorsarethesolution #baldeagle #americanbaldeagle #MemorialDay #MemorialDay2023
Porky, an LTWC Ambassador Animal, enjoys his new wine barrel! You can meet Porky at LTWC’s first Wildlife Wednesday of the season, Wed 5/31/23 at 6pm.
Denise Upton, LTWC Wildlife Education Coordinator, will host a 1-hour presentation and Q&A about the Ambassador Animals at our South Lake Tahoe, CA facility.
If you are a resident, or visiting Lake Tahoe, we welcome you to this unique wildlife education experience. Wildlife Wednesdays are weekly through the end of summer. This event takes place outdoors, so please dress for the weather.
Seating is limited – please register to reserve your spot. We ask that you do not reserve more than 6 seats per group.
https://ltwc.org/event/wildlife-wednesdays-ambassador/#rsvp-now
This all-ages event is free; donations are appreciated.
SPEAKER: Denise Upton
TOPIC: LTWC Ambassador Animals
DATE: Wed, 5/31/23
TIME: 6:oo pm - 7:00 pm
LOCATION: 1551 Al Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA (RSVP first)
Our facility has limited parking, please consider carpooling, biking, or utilizing Lake Link. No dogs please.
#Porky #porcupines #porcupinesofinstagram #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #laketahoe #laketahoewildlife #wildlifeconservation #AmbassadorAnimal #WildlifeWednesdays #WildlifeEducation #SouthLakeTahoeEvent #ThingsToDoInLakeTahoe
This Silver-haired bat, #23-106, was found by some Wildlife Heroes in a river. It was released after a brief stay at LTWC to dry out and enjoy some free fat mealworms.
Fun Facts: Silver-haired bats are one of the slowest flying bats and can often be seen feeding over bodies of water. They generally give birth to twins. Silver-haired bats' lifespan is generally 12 years or more.
#rescuerehabrelease #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #urbanwildlife #wildlifeheroes #ilovewildanimals #southlaketahoe #bats #Silverhairedbat #batsarecool #batsareawesome #mosquitoeaters #saturdaymorning
It's a Friday Roundup of this week's baby creature intake. Some are still too young to be identified. The ID'd babies are: crows, a band-tailed pigeon, a steller's jay, a raccoon, robins, and teeny tiny chipmunks that the BEAR League brought in.
We appreciate your donations that support LTWC during baby season.
https://ltwc.org/babies/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare x2273
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #BabySeason #BEARLeague #wildlifeheroes #FridayRoundup #LotsofMouthstoFeed #fridayvibes #SoTiny
Success Story! After 43 days in care, this Turkey Vulture’s fractured wing has healed. CDFW released #23-64 further south. Good Luck pretty one on your return to the wild!
#rescuerehabrelease #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #turkeyvulture #turkeyvultures #raptors #raptorsarethesolution #prettyface #beautyisintheeyeofthebeholder
At 6 pm on 5/31/23, please join us for the return of our Seasonal Education Series, Wildlife Wednesdays. Denise Upton, LTWC Wildlife Education Coordinator, will host a 1-hour presentation and Q&A about the Ambassador Animals at our South Lake Tahoe, CA facility.
If you are a resident, or visiting Lake Tahoe, we welcome you to this unique wildlife education experience. Wildlife Wednesdays are weekly through the end of summer. This event takes place outdoors, so please dress for the weather.
Seating is limited – please register to reserve your spot. We ask that you do not reserve more than 6 seats per group.
https://ltwc.org/event/wildlife-wednesdays-ambassador/#rsvp-now
This all-ages event is free; donations are appreciated.
SPEAKER: Denise Upton
TOPIC: LTWC Ambassador Animals
DATE: Wed, 5/31/23
TIME: 6:oo pm - 7:00 pm
LOCATION: 1551 Al Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA (RSVP first)
Our facility has limited parking, please consider carpooling, biking, or utilizing Lake Link. No dogs please.
Please Share!
#WildlifeWednesdays #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #WildlifeEducation #SouthLakeTahoeEvent #ThingsToDoInLakeTahoe #ILoveLakeTahoe #SouthLakeTahoe #Porky
Oak & Tule have officially moved into the Sequoia’s Park Zoo’s new Bear habitat! The cubs will not be visible to guests - but might be heard playing behind-the-scenes in the care quarters - while they become acclimated to their new home. Animal care staff will monitor the health and comfort of the cubs over the next month, a standard practice among zoos, before introducing them to visitors. Guests can expect to start seeing the cubs in late June.
Every year, the state of California must find homes for a small population of animals that are deemed non-releasable. Facilities like the Sequoia Park Zoo play an important role in providing permanent homes for non-releasable animals and creating educational opportunities to learn about conserving and living with wildlife.
Edit: Tule & Oak update - These two cubs have been assessed and deemed non-releasable, meaning they would not survive on their own in the wild.
Oak weighed 6.5 lbs when she was found orphaned in Oak Run, CA, in early May 2022. Unfortunately, throughout her rehabilitation journey, she never displayed the appropriate fear response to humans.
After several tests and medical exams, it was determined that Tule’s coat will not regrow, which is essential for him to survive in the wild.
Tule & Oak were the first orphaned bear cubs admitted to LTWC in the Spring 2022 season. They spent two months bonding before the next bear cubs arrived. They love to wrestle, chase, and hang out with each other.
We are, therefore, very happy to announce that these two unreleasable bear cubs are now lifelong residents together at Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, CA!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #blackbears #bearcubrescue #sequoiaparkzoo #Tule #Oak
LTWC has received many calls from concerned residents unsure if they are seeing a recently born 2023 bear cub that may be alone, or if it is a yearling. Here is a link to a YouTube video that the Interagency Tahoe Bear Team recently released that provides helpful identifying information and what to do and not do when you see these cubs. This video is beneficial to all residents and visitors to bear country, so please watch and widely share.
https://youtu.be/1-XfIWHkBBQ
#InteragencyTahoeBearTeam #theMoreYouKnow #blackbears #bearcubs #yearlings #protectwildlife #bebearaware🐻 #SlowDown #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #YesthatisLittleTule
Tule & Oak update: These two cubs have been assessed and deemed non-releasable, meaning they would not survive on their own in the wild.
Oak weighed 6.5 lbs when she was found orphaned in Oak Run, CA, in early May 2022. Unfortunately, throughout her rehabilitation journey, she never displayed the appropriate fear response to humans.
After several tests and medical exams, it was determined that Tule’s coat will not regrow, which is essential for him to survive in the wild.
Tule & Oak were the first orphaned bear cubs admitted to LTWC in the Spring 2022 season. They spent two months bonding before the next bear cubs arrived. They love to wrestle, chase, and hang out with each other.
We are, therefore, very happy to announce that these two unreleasable bear cubs are now lifelong residents together at Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka, CA!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #blackbears #sequoiaparkzoo #Tule #Oak
Meet patient 23-108, a Band-Tailed Pigeon. It likely fell out of the nest and is approximately 4 to 5 weeks old. It is otherwise healthy.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare x2273
If you find an injured or orphaned animal or bird, please call us at (530) 577-2273. Phones are answered daily between 9 am-6 pm. Please leave a message if we are unable to answer your call.
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #LakeTahoe #BandTailedPigeon #birds #protectwildlife #NativePigeons #UrbanWildlife
Today it is Cole’s Turn! At the end of December 2022, some Wildlife Heroes in Coleville, CA, observed this tiny cub hanging out around their property. She slept out in the open until the rain came, and then moved into the wool on their porch and snuggled in.
At intake, Cole weighed 21.7 lbs, had thin, protruding ribs, and significant frostbite trauma to her ears and pads. Sadly her ears were so damaged that the tips fell off during the exam. Her wounds were then carefully debrided and dressed with honey. Honey has antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties and is very soothing. Cole had a lot of damage to overcome, and we are happy to report that she has healed very nicely. Her release weight was a healthy 80 lbs!
Interestingly Cole’s butterball blonde coat is beginning to turn to a darker shade of brown. Good Luck, Cole! Fans from Coleville to Tahoe (and beyond!) are rooting for you. Please stay out of Trouble!
The California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) orchestrates all bear cub releases. CDFW thoroughly scouts release locations to ensure that there are plenty of natural food sources available. In general, the yearlings are released in the geographic area where they were originally found. This year all released cubs are fitted with a tracking collar, allowing CDFW to gather essential data. The collars will eventually fall off as the cubs grow; the collars do not harm them. The cubs also receive a microchip to identify them.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare x2273
#SuccessStory #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #blackbears #bearcam #bearcubrescue #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeheroes #StayOutofTrouble #GoodLuck #Cole #ColevilleCA #bearymanilow #mondayfunday
Baby season has arrived! You can be a Wildlife Hero by donating or purchasing much-needed food and supplies from LTWC’s Amazon Baby Shower Wishlist or Layne Labs Wildlife Food Donation.
https://ltwc.org/babies/
Thank you for your help!
Please Share
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeheroes
Buzz, buzz, today is World Bee Day! To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the United Nations designated May 20th as World Bee Day. This date is also the birthday of Slovenian beekeeper Anton Jansa (1734 - 1773), the forefather of modern beekeeping.
We all depend on the survival of bees. Nearly 90% of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend, entirely, or at least in part, on animal pollination, along with more than 75% of the world’s food crops and 35% of global agricultural land.
Ideas of How to Observe World Bee Day:
1. Create a bee safe water station by filling a hummingbird feeder with water, or add pebbles to a wide, shallow container (like a frisbee). It should be large enough to hold a few ounces of water, but not so big that bees will drown
2. Educate children that bees are to be celebrated, not feared. Did you know that only female bees can sting? Most bees won’t actually sting, they just get a lot of bad press 😉
3. Gardeners can plant a diverse set of native plants, while also avoiding pesticides, fungicides and herbicides
4. Support our local beekeepers by buying honey & other hive products
Fun Fact: Bees love the color blue, which is why they cluster around rosemary and lavender flowers
#WorldBeeDay #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #wildlifeconservation #protectwildlife #SaveOurPlanet #MotherEarth #theMoreYouKnow #SaveBees #BeeKeepers #LocalHoney #apiarists #GlobalGoals #pollinators🐝
Success Story! In early April 2023, this Burrowing Owl, #23-53, was found in the snow in Incline Village, NV, unable to fly. After 49 days in LTWC’s care, indulging in fat mealworms and mice, and participating in wing flight conditioning, it was assessed as ready to return to the wild. This Burrowing Owl was released in an area that is part of these owls’ migratory paths.
Thank You to all of the Wildlife Heroes that contributed to this Success Story!
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare x2273
#SuccessStory #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeheroes #GoodLuck #owlLove #owlsofinsta #owloftheday #wisdom #raptorsarethesolution
Endangered Species Day is recognized every year on the third Friday in May. This day reminds us all that some of our favorite creatures are at risk of going extinct.
2023 also marks the 50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a landmark piece of legislation establishing protections for fish, wildlife, and plants listed as threatened or endangered.
7 birds and 22 animals in California are on the list, like the Inyo California Towhee, Point Arena Mountain Beaver, and Riparian Brush Rabbit.
In Nevada, 4 birds are listed: the California Condor, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, Yellow-Billed Cuckoo, and Yuma Ridgway’s Rail, and 1 animal, the Sierra Nevada Red Fox.
https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/report/species-listings-by-state?stateAbbrev=CA&stateName=California&statusCategory=Listed
#EndangeredSpeciesDay #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #wildlifeconservation #protectwildlife #SaveOurPlanet #MotherEarth #theMoreYouKnow
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.
