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
This time of year is coyote denning season, which is when coyote pups are born. Coyotes are a valuable part of our urban environment, regulating the populations of rodents and smaller predators - and in turn, regulating disease! They work hard to feed their pups and can be seen day and night out searching for food. When driving, please slow down and keep a watchful eye for coyotes, bears, and even bobcats as our local wildlife wakes up to Spring. Coyotes are hungry, and with the amount of snow in Tahoe, looking for food is challenging, so you may notice they do not scare off as easily. Keep an eye on your pets, secure your trash, and avoid known denning areas if you plan to have your dogs off leash - all parents are protective of their young, and Coyote parents work together to raise the next generation of pe#securetrash
Please Share! Thanks Wildlife Heroes!
#laketahoewildlifecare #LTWC #laketahoe #laketahoewildlife #wildlifeconservation
#PSA #urbanwildlife #slowdown #bearaware #savecoytoes #bobcats #beagoodneighbor #securetrash #wildlifeheroes
Last week Porky, an ambassador animal, had his annual check-up. His ears were cleaned, nails trimmed, and he weighs in at 24 lbs! Porky is in excellent health.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#Porky #porcupines #porcupinesofinstagram #laketahoewildlifecare #LTWC #laketahoe #laketahoewildlife #wildlifeconservation #ambassadoranimal #funfacts #getyournailsdone #FridayFun
Happy World Bear Day!
There are eight bear species, and every continent has a native bear except Antarctica and Australia. According to IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, six species are listed as vulnerable or endangered.
CDFW, California's Department of Fish & Wildlife, reports that California's black bear population has increased over the past few decades. In 1982, the statewide population was estimated to be between 10,000 and 15,000 bears. Presently, the statewide population is conservatively estimated to be between 30,000 and 40,000 bears.
Black Bears are the only wild bears in California. However, they come in many colors, from solid black to shades of brown and tan. Some have different patches of color, such as a white blaze on the chest or lighter-colored muzzles. Many people will claim to have seen a "brown bear." Generally, the term "brown bear" refers to Ursus arctos, the grizzly bear. California grizzly bears became extinct by the 1920s, and only the one on our state flag remains.
#themoreyouknow #thanksCDFW #blackbears #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #bearcubrescue #bebearaware #WorldBearDay
Baby season will soon be here, and Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care is excited to announce the Summer Season 2023 Volunteer Sign-Ups! Registration Day is Saturday, April 15th. There are a finite number of spaces, and registration fulfillment is on a first-served basis.
Sunday, May 7th, is the 2023 volunteer group on-site training day. You must be able to attend to be a part of this year's team.
More details coming soon!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #rescuerehabrelease #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #southlaketahoecalifornia #volunteers #volunteersmakeadifference #wildlifeheroes #pooppatrol
Happy 1st full day of Spring 2023! The torporing/hibernating bear cubs, Pine, Lake, Izzy, Bella, Mary & Posa, are waking up from their deep sleep and looking for food. It has been about eight weeks since the cubs last ate, and they are hungry!
Foraging boxes are filled with lettuce, carrots, and apples and closed up to provide an enrichment challenge. Over the next few days, the Animal Care Team will increase the amount of food and expand the selection, like adding in broccoli or pears. This food is primarily vegetables to simulate grasses and other plant material available in the Spring.
In the Fall, their food supply was slowly decreased over many weeks, which triggered torpor in most of the bear cubs. (We're looking at you - Oak & Sugar for not enjoying sleepy time!).
Please consider donating to LTWC and support our many hungry and growing bear cubs! It takes a village!
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #blackbears #bearcam #bearcubrescue #firstdayofspring #torpor #hibernation #hungrylikeabear #Pine #Lake #Izzy #Bella #Mary #Posa
Monday’s can be tricky.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #Oak #blackbears #bearcam #bearcubrescue #firstdayofspring #mondayblues #mondaymotivation #sillygirl
South Lake Tahoe is happy to finally catch a snow break! Yay for sunshine in blue skies! Em, LTWC’s ambassador Bald Eagle, agrees and is soaking up some much-needed Vitamin D!
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#Em #baldeagle #baldeagles #laketahoewildlifecare #LTWC #southlaketahoe #laketahoewildlife #wildlifeconservation #baldeagle_lovers #bluebirdday #sunsout #selfcaresaturday #March2023 #healthylifestyle
This raccoon will be released back to the wild once the snowpack melts and a suitable location is scouted. Until then, she entertains with nocturnal hijinks.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#raccoons #raccoonlife #raccoonlove #rescuerehabrelease #LTWC #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #protectwildlife #wildlifeconsevation #urbanwildlife #wildlifeofinstagram #laketahoe #FridayFunny
Guess who is waking up? The triplets, Lake, Izzy & Bella, sense springtime could be right around the corner! They must be hungry; please consider supporting LTWC as we gear up to feed the six bears emerging from torpor/hibernation.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#rescuerehabrelease #laketahoe #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #Lake #Izzy #Bella #Lakeisabella #blackbears #bearcam #torpor #isspringhereyet #snowmegeddon #toomuchsnow #uncle
The Fall Baby Squirrels Success Story!
If a squirrel has a good food year, she can have a 2nd litter in the fall. In late October 2022, a crew member from Durkin Tree Service heard squeaking and immediately called LTWC. These wildlife heroes then carefully cut out a section of the aspen which was brought to the center.
An Animal Care Technician gently removed each squirrel kit from the small nest hole. The 4 Douglas Squirrel kits were kept cozy for several weeks and bottle-fed formula every four hours. They graduated to solid food and eventually bigger and bigger enclosures.
Prior to the recent rounds of storms, they were soft-released. The main ideas of a soft release are that an animal is gradually introduced to a new environment but is given the opportunity to return to the safety of a cage for shelter, water, and food.
When the squirrels are ready, they forge ahead on their own. LTWC has 27 acres that they can explore.
If you find an injured or orphaned animal please call us at (530) 577-2273.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#durkintreeservice #douglassquirrels #squirrelstagram #babysquirrels #rescuerehabrelease #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #laketahoewildlife #laketahoe #wildlifeconservation #tahoewildlife #treetrimming #ittakesavillage #wildlifeheroes #successstory #tuesdayvibes
Tule and Oak remain friends
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Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#bearcubrescue #rescuerehabrelease #laketahoe #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #Tule #Oak #blackbears #bearcam #theslap #sunday #Oscars2023
Tahoe is showing us some personality! Tule and Sugar have left her the rest of the fruit.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #bearcubrescue #rescuerehabrelease #laketahoe #tahoethebearcub #MsTahoe #Tahoe #southlaketahoe #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #blackbears #bearcam #fridayfun #fruitsbasket
The wayward Pelican that some Tahoe Wildlife Heroes rescued has spent the last week enjoying the lux life at International Bird Rescue (IBR) in Fairfield, CA. It is enjoying the deep pools and meeting some new feathered friends.
We are thankful for all of our partners in wildlife care.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#internationalbirdrescue #Pelican #LostBird #winterstorm #birdrescue #laketahoewildlifecare #LTWC #laketahoe #southlaketahoe #wildlifeconservation #wildlifeheroes #ittakesavillage #thursdayvibes #birderslife
Tule Camera!
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#bearcubrescue #rescuerehabrelease #laketahoe #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #Tule #blackbears #bearcam #wednesdaymood #sillyboy
This female Red Crossbill has an injured left shoulder that is still healing. She has been moved to a larger aviary which gives her the opportunity to strengthen her climbing muscles and possibly strengthen her wings.
Crossbills typically forage by clambering over cones in evergreens. Different forms of Red Crossbill specialize in different kinds of conifers, with large-billed birds often choosing trees with more giant cones.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#laketahoewildlifecare #LTWC #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildlifeheroes #tahoewildlife #redcrossbills #birdsofinstagram #finches #birdrescue #birders #laketahoe #prettygirl #TuesdayTrivia #greatshot #birdwhisperer
This puzzle feeder is filled with bear chow. The cubs have to work out how to access these nutrients. This puzzle keeps them busy and teaches them that they must forage and figure out how to secure food.
Bear cubs are all born around the same time, in January / February. By comparing these bear cubs to the puzzle feeder, you can see how much they range in size. Oak was the first cub to arrive in the Spring 2022 season, and Challenge was the last, arriving in mid-December.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#bearcubrescue #rescuerehabrelease #laketahoe #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #sugar #oak #valley #cole #tahoe #challenge #enrichment #blackbears #mondaymood #bearcam
Sugar also fought against going into a deep sleep known as torpor. In February, she was removed from the torpor/hibernating group of bear cubs (Lake, Izzy, Bella, Mary, Posa, and Pine) and was reunited with companions Tule and Oak!
Sugar was found alone at Sugar Pine Point, CA, in July 2022 and weighed 24 lbs. One way she can be identified is by the yellow tag in her right ear.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#bearcubrescue #rescuerehabrelease #laketahoe #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #sugar #tule #oak
Happy World Wildlife Day!
And as quickly as the Pelican arrived, it departed. Although there were nearby sightings of flocks, LTWC was concerned that releasing the Pelican while it was still a bit weak and has to face the impending storm was not in its best interest.
This morning, 3/3/23, it was transported to International Bird Rescue in Fairfield, CA. IBR specializes in waterfowl and will take great care of this wayward Pelican.
Thank you to all of the Wildlife Heroes involved in rescuing and caring for this young adult Pelican! And thank you to CDFW for transportation assistance! So long, and thanks for all the fish.
If you find an injured or orphaned animal please call us at (530) 577-2273.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#WWD2023 #internationalbirdrescue #Pelican #LostBird #winterstorm #birdrescue #laketahoewildlifecare #LTWC #laketahoe #southlaketahoe #wildlifeconservation #wildlifeheroes #ittakesavillage #kokanee #solongandthanksforallthefish
This American White Pelican was observed bouncing off a power line and found in the middle of a road in South Lake Tahoe. It could have lost its way during the recent winter storms. The LTWC intake exam did not reveal any obvious injuries; it is a little lethargic and slightly thin.
This young adult Pelican is currently enjoying Kokanee Salmon that local fishermen previously donated. The Pelican is being monitored while LTWC determines the next steps.
Thank you to the Wildlife Heroes that rescued this Pelican and shot the footage. And thank you to the Fishermen that have stocked up LTWC’s freezers with local fish. It takes a village!
If you find an injured or orphaned animal please call us at (530) 577-2273.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#Pelican #LostBird #winterstorm #birdrescue #laketahoewildlifecare #LTWC #laketahoe #southlaketahoe #wildlifeconservation #wildlifeheroes #ittakesavillage #fishermen #kokanee #donationswelcome #notastork
Unfortunately, the severe injuries that the Coyote rescued from Sierra-at-Tahoe in early February sustained were greater than its natural ability to correctly heal and to fully repair. Despite LTWC’s best efforts, we could not fulfill our mission of releasing him back into the wild.
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.
