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
Baby Merganser!
Did you know that Red-breasted Mergansers are among the fastest flying ducks, clocking speeds of up to 81 miles per hour? So cool!
This little one is not that fast yet! Just fluffy & cute right now.
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #merganzer #bird #birds #duck #ducksofinstagram #didyouknow #funfacts
The youngest group of Raccoon kits are learning to climb!
The Raccoon Building has three inside enclosures & two outside areas. All of the enclosure spaces have a lot of different enrichment toys/fixtures, like this horizontal climbing branch.
These athletic little ones are having a blast figuring out & conquering the climbing fixtures!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #art #animalart #raccoons #raccoon #raccoonsofinstagram #funnyvideos #funnyanimals
Wow do we have a AMAZING story for our Wildlife Heroes!
The smaller raccoon in this picture was attacked by a dog earlier this spring. After weeks of intense treatment it became stable and is slowly healing.
The bigger raccoon was brought in after getting its hand stuck in a rat trap. Thanks to some quick work by our veterinarian, Dr. Willits, the hand was able to be amputated just to the main fingers, saving the thumb, allowing the raccoon to still climb and survive.
Both of these hurt raccoons were getting bullied by the other raccoons because the others could sense that they were hurt & different. We were concerned about this so we moved them in together and put them both with the smallest group of raccoon kits. It was a SUCCESS! Not only have the smaller raccoon kits have accepted them BUT the two of them have bonded! They play, sleep & eat together now!
This is the most heart warming story.
We are beyond thrilled that they are doing well and have bonded together.
This is what it’s all about. This is why we do what we do!
Thank you to all our wonderful Wildlife Heroes who have helped make this possible through your support and generosity!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #heartwarming #cutestory #raccoon #raccoons #raccoonsofinstagram #thankyou #healing
This adult porcupine was transferred to LTWC after potentially being hit by a car.
It has a swollen eye & some wonky quills but is doing well and is moving around (when we are not there of course😂🙄).
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #porky #porcupine #porcupines #newin #justarrived #porcupinesofinstagram
Some call it a giant mess, we call it raccoon art!
This is the sixth, youngest Raccoon kits' masterpiece! Messy messy babies!
Raccoons are so playful & make such a mess that all the Raccoon enclosures need to be cleaned twice a day! 😳🙄😂 at a minimum!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #art #animalart #raccoons #raccoon #raccoonsofinstagram #funnyvideos #funnyanimals
This juvenile American Kestrel was successfully released this week!
He came in a month ago after getting a concussion from a window hit. Now he is recovered & back where he belongs, the WILD!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #birdsounds #falcon #americankestrel
IMPORTANT!!! We have had a string of animals arrive at our facility that have been paralyzed from being shot with a BB gun.
All of these animals had to be euthanized due to the severity of their injuries'.
A lot of people think that BB guns can’t hurt animals when actually BBs usually cause extensive harm, may not kill, but leaves the animal hurt and suffering.
PLEASE NEVER SHOOT AN ANIMAL WITH A BB GUN!
This is NOT the way to scare off animals or to keep them out of your yard.
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #importantmessage #pleasehelp
Porky waiting as patiently as he can for his breakfast!
Don't worry Porky, the corn is on its way!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #porky #porcupine #porcupines #breakfast #corn #favortiefood
Robin Release!
This Robin came in as a nestling & after a few months it is now all grown & ready for the wild!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #robin #bird #backtothewild #flyfree #birdsofinstagram #birds
What having 19 Raccoon kits looks like…craziness!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #raccoon #raccoons #babies #kits #babyraccoon #socute #funnyanimalvideos
Love the animals that LTWC rescues, rehabs and releases? Well thanks to Debbie Griest you can get an original painting, prints, or cards of the animals you love!
To bid on the original painting visit the “Art for Animals” link in our bio.
To purchase the prints or cards visit this link: https://ltwc.org/product-category/art-prints/
To see more of Debbie's work visit this link: debbiegriestart.com
What better way to get out and enjoy Tahoe while also supporting Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care than a day of golf!
This fun day will include a putting contest, golf scramble and raffle prize drawings!
Visit this link to sign up today!
WildGolf.org
One of our young Wildlife Heroes & his friends made enrichment toys for the animals from recycled fire hoses!
It’s safe to say, Oak & Tule love their swing/ hammock!
You can become a Wildlife Hero too by donating to LTWC today.
Link to donate in bio.
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #tule #bearcub #blackbear #blackbears #babybear #bearcubs #update
The juvenile Raccoons are getting bigger…& smarter! Took them less than 20 second of being outside to locate, touch & mess up the hidden camera!
We attached the hidden camera to the fence & even though they were not able to knock it down, they were able to push it out of position! Resulting in us getting a 35 minute video of the fence😂
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #raccoon #raccoons #babies #kits #babyraccoon #socute #funnyanimalvideos
Rescue • Rehab • Release
Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care was incredibly lucky to get to work with @roamingwithriley_ to make this awesome video!
Just a little inside look at LTWC, the work we do & the animals we help!
Since opening in 1978 LTWC has successfully cared for & released over 15,000 wild birds & animals!
Thank you to all who make this mission possible💙
Together we are helping keep wildlife WILD!
For more information about who we are and what we do please visit our website ➡️ ltwc.org
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #whoweare #whatwedo #savingwildlife
Oak in May vs Oak today!
She is growing in size, confidence & in bear attitude.
2nd 📷: @wicked.wildlife
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #tule #bearcub #blackbear #blackbears #babybear #bearcubs #update #oak
Tule discovered what happens when you put your face in the water!
Silly boy💙
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #tule #bearcub #blackbear #blackbears #babybear #bearcubs #update
Baby season 2022💙
To all our wonderful Wildlife Heroes, LTWC staff, volunteers, the Board of Directors & the South Lake Tahoe community…THANK YOU!
These are just a FEW of the HUNDREDS of moments made possible by all of you!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #thankyou #support #wildlifeheroes #thebest
Did you know Coyotes can hear up to a quarter mile away!?
A coyote's sense of hearing is pretty impeccable. The shape of their ears is meant to capture even the smallest of movement.
During the wintertime, a coyote can hear a mouse moving beneath 7 inches of snow!
Check out those ears hard a work!
Constantly moving ears which “swivel” from position to position are picking up ALL the various surrounding sounds. As a coyote swivels its ears it will also turn its head so that sounds in back are picked up better.
Such amazing & stunning creatures!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #coyote #coyotes #funfacts #didyouknow #animalfacts
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.