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
Rehabilitation
Release
Community Education
What’s New
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! 🐾💚
🌲 LTWC helps hundreds of baby songbirds, including Mountain Chickadees, every year! These tiny birds need to be clever to survive Tahoe’s long, harsh winters. 🧠❄️
Want to learn more about how Mountain Chickadees use their big brains to survive, thrive, and even find love in the Sierra Nevadas? Join us for this Sunday’s virtual Wild Wonders program with Dr. Carrie Branch (October 27th at 2 PM).
Register now by visiting the events page on our website: LTWC.org!
#WildWonders #MountainChickadees #VirtualEvent
Release Recap!
Did you know there are Sandpipers on Lake Tahoe?
Meet Spotted Sandpiper #24-320, released back into the wild after spending 9 days in our care due to a cat attack injury. After a full course of medication, this sandpiper was ready to return to the wild!
Cat attacks are one of the leading causes of wildlife admissions to rehabilitation centers, and unfortunately, they often result in high mortality rates. Spotted Sandpiper #24-320 was one of the lucky survivors. Cats carry a harmful bacteria in their saliva called Pasteurella, which can be toxic to birds if untreated.
To protect your local wildlife, we recommend closely monitoring outdoor cats, using a leash, or keeping them indoors to reduce harmful interactions. Together, we can help safeguard our wildlife!
🐦 Missing our summer Wild Wonders programs already or couldn`t make it to Tahoe? No problem! Join us virtually on Sunday, October 27th for a special Wild Wonders on Mountain Chickadees with Dr. Carrie Branch, Western University. Learn how these tiny birds use their brain power to survive Tahoe`s harsh winters! ❄️🧠
Register now to receive the Zoom link by visiting our website`s events page or clicking here: https://buff.ly/3BM0iGl
#WildWonders #MountainChickadees #VirtualEvent #birds #bird #nature #birdsofinstagram #wildlifeeducation #wildlife #education #conservation #wildlifeconservation #nature #animals #wildlifeoutreach #wildlife
🦅 Don’t let his small, round, and adorable appearance fool you—American Kestrels, like our ambassador Ozzy, are fierce hunters! In addition to eating insects, they regularly catch prey that weighs more than a third of their body weight, including rodents, reptiles, and even other birds. 🐁✨ #AmericanKestrel #BirdsOfPrey #WildlifeAmbassador
🎃 Porky’s got her pumpkin and is all set for Halloween! 🎃🍂 Our North American Porcupine ambassador is ready to celebrate spooky season in style! 🦔✨ #HalloweenFun #PorcupineLove #WildlifeAmbassador
🦅 Em, our Bald Eagle, is starting to learn how to discern colors by picking up colored rings! Eagles, like most birds, have exceptional color vision—even seeing ultraviolet light. This training also helps us monitor Em`s health! Tracking his eagerness to bend down and pick up rings helps us more effectively manage his arthritis.✨ #BaldEagle #BirdTraining #WildlifeCare #AnimalAmbassador
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.
