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
Can’t really tell if this is pure athleticism & super comfortable OR very uncomfortable & just pure laziness!?
Haha oh Lucinda!
(Eloise hanging out on the ground)
Lucinda sure does love that tree!
Can you find the last post of her playing with the tree?!
*Hint hint it was in November! *
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #bears #bear #bearsofinstagram #bearcubs #babybears #playing #wildlifephotography #wildbears #animals #wildanimals
Throwback Thursday!
1 year ago today LTWC rescued this STUNNING Northern Harrier!
After almost 7 months in our care this beauty was released last fall!
Northern Harriers are slender, medium-sized raptors with long, fairly broad wings and a long, rounded tail. They have a flat, owl-like face and a small, sharply hooked bill. Harriers often fly with their wings held in a dihedral, or V-shape above the horizontal.
Cool Facts about Northern Harriers:
1. Northern Harriers are the most owl-like of hawks (though they’re not related to owls). They rely on hearing as well as vision to capture prey. The disk-shaped face looks and functions much like an owl’s, with stiff facial feathers helping to direct sound to the ears.
2. Northern Harrier fossils dating from 11,000 to 40,000 years ago have been unearthed in northern Mexico.
3. The oldest Northern Harrier on record was a female, and at least 15 years, 4 months old when she was captured and released in 2001 by a bird bander in Quebec. She had been banded in New Jersey in 1986.
4. Male Northern Harriers can have as many as five mates at once, though most have only one or two. The male provides most of the food for his mates and their offspring, while the females incubate the eggs and brood the chicks.
Wow that’s one cool raptor!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #hawks #hawksofinstagram #northerharrier #sierramountains #sierranevada
It’s definitely winter here in Tahoe!
This is our slowest season. With the 4 big cubs hibernating, the 4 injured/ burned cubs healing, the juvenile raccoons almost ready for release & the porcupine chowing down on corn there has not been much going on at LTWC.
So while we continue to prepare for our upcoming baby (busy) season we wanted to share some sweet moments of the 4 big cubs. This was taken a few weeks ago right after a nice snow!
Enjoy this cuteness!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #bears #bear #bearsofinstagram #bearcubs #babybears #playing #wildlifephotography #wildbears #animals #wildanimals
You know It’s Monday morning when you wake up & your hair looks like this!
Rise & shine it’s time for a new week! Yay!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #Porcupine #porcupines #porcupinesofinstagram #eating #growing #wildanimals #animals #animalsofinstagram
Peyton is looking AMAZING!
We are thrilled to share that She is healing fabulously really starting to come out of her shell.
Look how great she looks!
This video was taken a few weeks ago & the picture was right after her skin procedure.
She has not been hibernating so that we can continue to monitor her progress.
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #bears #bear #bearsofinstagram #bearcubs #babybears #playing #wildlifephotography #wildbears #animals #wildanimals
Oh hey Jamison 👋🏽
How are all the hibernating cubs doing? Very well, thanks for wondering!
The four big cubs (Wildwood, Lucinda, Jamison & Eloise) wake up every so often, walk around, stretch & then go right back to their den for more sleep!
Currently CA F&W is working on the RELEASE plan for these four cubs!! Wohoo!
In the meantime enjoy how chubby Jamison is!
Fat & healthy!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #bears #bear #bearsofinstagram #bearcubs #babybears #playing #wildlifephotography #wildbears #animals #wildanimals
Throwback Thursday!
This weeks winner is the Spotted Skunk!
This last year (2020) LTWC rescued, rehabilitated, and released TWO Spotted Skunks!
Formerly, spotted skunk subspecies (Spilogale putorius interrupta) was common but now is considered extremely rare.
This is a cool species! Not only are they spotted BUT they also do a handstand before spraying potential threats!
Great pick for #throwbackthrusday Wildlife Heroes!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #skunks #skunk #spotted #stripped #babyskunks #skunksofinstagram
Learn the difference between Falcons & Hawks!
At LTWC we have both for educational ambassadors!
Tippi & Ozzie are American Kestrels (Falcons)
& Trooper is a Red-Tailed Hawk!
Pretty cool huh?!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #kestrel #americankestrel #falcon #falconsofinstagram #falcons #education #edicationalanimal #tippy #kestrelfalcon #birdsofinstagram #raptors #raptorsofinstagram #falcons #hawks #diffrent
How to wash your paws or hands 101:
1. Wet your hands with clean water.
*see video for example*
2. Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces of your hands and wrists.
3. Lather and rub your hands together briskly and thoroughly. Make sure to scrub all surfaces of your hands, fingertips, fingernails, and wrists.
*see video for example*
4. Scrub your hands and wrists for at least 20 seconds.
*see video for example*
5. Rinse your hands and wrists under clean water.
*see video for example*
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #raccoons #raccoonsofinstagram #raccoon #wildlifephotography #babies #babiesofinstagram #animals #wildanimals #animalsofinstagram #raccoonbabies #cuties #maskedbandit #howtovideo #washyourhands
Us: How’s that fish head taste?!
Em: *rips a big bite off*
Us: Oh so delicious!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #laketahoe #baldeagle #eagles #eagles #birdsofprey #raptor #raptors
Wait for it....
Oh why hello there!
Roomate’s can be so annoying sometimes haha!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #raccoons #raccoonsofinstagram #raccoon #wildlifephotography #babies #babiesofinstagram #animals #wildanimals #animalsofinstagram #raccoonbabies #cuties #maskedbandit
If the “South Shore Four” were a band these would be the top choice for their album cover!
Which one would you pick?! 1 or 2?!
Comment your pick below!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #bears #bear #bearsofinstagram #bearcubs #babybears #playing #wildlifephotography #wildbears #animals #wildanimals
Good morning!
Time to rise & shine, or if you are a juvenile raccoon rehabbing at LTWC it’s time to rise & PLAY!
mischievous, curious, energetic & VERY playful are just a few great descriptions of these masked cuties!
LTWC couldn’t be prouder to provide a safe, enriching environment for these little ones to grow & learn in!
The raccoon building has three inside enclosure & two outdoor play areas. All filled with toys, trees, pools & structures to climb on!
Lucky little bandits!
They are almost ready to be released to the wild! A few more wild skills to learn & then they will be ready!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #raccoons #raccoonsofinstagram #raccoon #wildlifephotography #babies #babiesofinstagram #animals #wildanimals #animalsofinstagram #raccoonbabies #cuties #maskedbandit
Look who is up!
The South Shore Four!
The 4 big cubs (Wildwood, Lucinda, Jamison. & Eloise) are all from South shore Lake Tahoe so we have been calling them the South Shore Four!
They got up from their sleep to stretch out their legs as well as get some sunshine and fresh air before they headed back to their den for more rest!
You can tell they are in the middle of hibernating due to the lack of energy & the lethargic looks!
Of course Jamison, as always, is being silly! That stick is working hard to not snap!
For more on Black Bear hibernation check out our post from a few weeks back —> “Let’s Talk About: Black Bear Hibernation”!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #bears #bear #bearsofinstagram #bearcubs #babybears #playing #wildlifephotography #wildbears #animals #wildanimals
Are porcupines important to forest health?!
Why yes, yes they are!
Porcupines evolved with the forests and are part of a system of forest replenishment. Trees damaged by porcupines provide critical habitat for dozens of other species. These trees then become part of the nutrient cycling essential to forest health.
Thanks for helping out our forest little one!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #Porcupine #porcupines #porcupinesofinstagram #eating #growing #wildanimals #animals #animalsofinstagram
Throwback Thursday!
This week we let our Wildlife Heroes pick between the spotted skunk or the bobcats.
The winner was The Bobcats by a long shot!
They sure were cute & just as ferocious!
Here one of the sisters plays with her food before eating it.
Unlike humans Bobcat kittens are supposed to play with their food! It helps them learn stalking & hunting skills!
The bobcat is the most abundant wildcat in North America. This species has been around for more than 1.8 million years. They are medium-sized cats, about twice the size of a domestic housecat.
Female bobcats are very territorial and their ranges never overlap. However, male cats may overlap ranges.
A male’s territory is usually approximately 30 square miles. A female’s territory is approximately 5 square miles.
📷: @wicked.wildlife
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #bobcats #bobcat #bobcatsofinstagram #animals #animalsofinstagram #wildanimals #wildbobcats #growingstages #growing #bigcats #bigcat
Ohhhh yeahhhh, that’s the stuff!
Nothing like a foot stretch & scratch to get through the day! Half way through the week, yay!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #raccoons #raccoonsofinstagram #raccoon #wildlifephotography #babies #babiesofinstagram #animals #wildanimals #animalsofinstagram #raccoonbabies #cuties #maskedbandit
We have some very exciting news!
Sequoia is doing wonderfully!
From a burned, starving 19 lbs cub to a healthy healing 49 lbs cub! That’s a 30 lbs gain!
This little guy is packing on those pounds & his burns are almost completely healed! He is VERY shy and almost never come out of his den but via the security cameras you can tell he is getting healthier every day!
The first video was taken on arrival (December 12, 2020) & the last picture was taken two days ago (January 31, 2021).
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #bears #bear #bearsofinstagram #bearcubs #babybears #playing #wildlifephotography #wildbears #animals #wildanimals
Starting off the day, week & month of February with a BIG Good Morning from Em!
Em is not a morning bird. He likes to take his time waking up & getting the day started BUT once up he is quite the talker!
What a way to start the day, week & month! Wohoo!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #laketahoe #baldeagle #eagles #eagles #birdsofprey #raptor #raptors
Masked, mischievous, little cuties!
The 7 juvenile Raccoons are thriving! Healthy, happy & learning lots of skills that will help them in their wild lives!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #raccoons #raccoonsofinstagram #raccoon #wildlifephotography #babies #babiesofinstagram #animals #wildanimals #animalsofinstagram #raccoonbabies #cuties #maskedbandit
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.
