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
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What’s New
Another new arrival…
It’s a….Coyote Pup!
This little 1.6 pound pup was found crying alone in a strip of national forest that was in between two neighborhoods.
We are fairly certain we know where the den is so we are going to try to reunite it with its family later today!
If you are out & about this holiday weekend and come across wildlife that you think needs help PLEASE TAKE A PICTURE & CALL US!!
530-577-2273
Together we can keep wildlife WILD!!!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #coyote #pup #helping #newin #justarrived
We had such a great time at our volunteer training last weekend!
Thank you to everyone who came out! We are so excited for a busy summer helping wildlife stay WILD!
It’s already starting, with lots of calls, tons of babies & not nearly enough time we are so thankful to have such a great group of volunteers to help out!
A HUGE Thank you to @tallaccoffee.co & @dragonflybagel for providing coffee & lunch! Both of these fantastic businesses not only provided coffee & lunch BUT they DONATED IT! Seriously you both are the BEST!
Thank you to our staff, board members & long-time volunteers for going above & beyond to pull off this amazing weekend!
Now let’s RESCUE, REHAB & RELEASE the wildlife that needs our help!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #volunteer #trainingday #thankyou #weareready
Porky enjoying his birthday cake!
Thank you to our amazing assistant animal care director for making this delicious work of art!
Last photo has the recipe!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #porcupine #funnyanimals #corn #porky #happybirthday #birthdayboy #flashbackfriday #birthdaypost
Bath time for the babies!
The new raccoon kits got a bath. They didn’t seem to mind it too much! Though they were a little wiggly & probably thinking “what is happening” they did great!
All clean & ready for some lunch!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #raccoon #raccoons #newarrivals #newin #babies #bathtime #allclean
•P3 release part II•
After P3 jumped (literally!) back into the wild we hung around & watched him for a little bit to make sure he was settling in okay.
He was so happy! So many places to explore, so many things to sniff, so many things to climb!
Here are some more pictures & videos of his release!
Have fun P3!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #porcupine #porcupines #releaseday #p3 #bewild #staywild #befree #weloveyou
We have three new arrivals!
These precious little Raccoon kits are just about 5 weeks old & cute as can be!
Kits? Yes, kits! Baby raccoons are called kits & multiple kits are called a litter!
This littler of kits was found on a boat. The boat owner did not know to check the boat for any stowaways before bringing the boat from Reno to Truckee. Sadly because of this there was no chance to reuniting momma & babies BUT this can be a great reminder of why everyone should check their boats BEFORE moving them & DEFINITELY BEFORE launching.
Thankfully this boat owner did know to call us as soon as he found the litter!
Know anyone with a boat? Send them this post, shoot them a text, or a call! Friendly reminders can help keep families together this baby season!
Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care phone number: +1 (530) 577-2273
Thank you Wildlife Heroes!!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #raccoon #raccoons #newarrivals #newin #babies #kits #litter #funfacts
Porky wanted to stop by and say a big HIIII to all our Wildlife Heroes!
We also have a ton of new Wildlife Hero followers that haven’t formally met Porky yet, so he wanted to introduce himself!
Porky is LTWC’s educational ambassador Porcupine. Porky was found alone on a busy hiking trail when he was a day old! After having no luck locating his mom he was brought to LTWC for care. Being that he was only a day old we had to bottle-fed him, due to that he habituated to humans. Although he couldn’t be released he COULD live a wonderful life helping LTWC educate people on Porcupines! So after securing the correct permits we officially welcomed Porky to LTWC as an educational ambassador!
Fun fact: Porky turns 2 years old on May 20th!!!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #porcupine #porcupines #porky #birthdaymonth #introduction #hisstory #almosttwo
P3 wanted to show all our wonderful Wildlife Heroes how porcupines use their tails to climb!
Check it out!
Porcupines use their tails as a “hand” to help push them up the tree & as an “anchor” to help them come down out of the tree without sliding.
Check out how P3 scrunches his tail up & pushes as he climbs to the top & how he slaps his tail to keep him steady as he comes down.
Pretty cool huh!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #porcupine #porcupines #P3 #funfacts #didyouknow #climbing #tail
Check out this awesome Owl!
This is a Flammulated Owl. It is roughly 6 inches tall (so tiny!). This tiny Owl migrates every year from North America to Mexico. That’s a long flight for an owl with a wingspan of about 14 inches!
Flammulated Owl migration is timed to match the species' insectivorous diet. As arthropods become harder to find in the chilly fall months of the North, the Flammulated Owls head south to find new insects to feed on.
A few years ago we rescued this Flammulated Owl! When it was healed and ready for release we ran into a problem…all the other Flammulated Owls were already in Mexico!
Thankfully one of our amazing volunteers offered to DRIVE this little one down to Mexico for release!
A cool owl with a cool release story!
📷: @wicked.wildlife
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #owls #owlsofinstagram #owl #flammulatedowl #migration #mexico #northamerica #funfacts #coolstory
We have a new arrival at LTWC from the Redding area… It’s a bear cub!!
This cub is a female and weighs 6.5 lbs and—other than a skin condition— this baby appears to be in good heath. Officially, she is the Oak Run Road cub, but we will refer to her simply as “Oak.” (Like her name implies, we hope she will grow big and strong.)
We do not have details on what happened to her mom, but we are grateful that we are able to provide her with care, safety and a second chance at a wild life!
Want to help with the cost of his rehab?!
How to donate:
1. Our Website (https://ltwc.org/support/donate/)
2. Venmo —> @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #newin #baby #bears #bearsofinstagram #blackbears #babybear #help
I don’t think lettuce has ever looked so good!
The way Porky is chowing down you would think he was filming a commercial to promote eating your greens😂
If he was it would work! He sure is making a salad look really good right now.
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #porcupine #porcupines #funnyvideos #porky #eating #lunch #lettuce
Porky perusing his breakfast…hmm wonder what he will go for first!?
Surprise surprise, he went for the corn!
Porky sure does LOVES his corn!
🌽💛
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #porcupine #funnyvideos #funnyanimals #corn #porky
Don’t blink or you might miss it! She was that excited to fly off!
This stunning, one eyed, Great Horned Owl is back where she belongs, THE WILD.
This Great Horned Owl was shot & lost her eye but after months of rehabbing she is now WILD & FREE!
Owls hunt with sound & after testing her hunting capabilities it was determined she would be able to thrive in the wild!
It’s been a long road but we couldn’t be happier that she is back where she was born to be!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #rescuerehabilitaterelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #wildliferelease #california #tahoe #laketahoe #rehab #rescue #release #greathornedowl #owls #owl #owlsofinstagram
His cuteness is unBEARable 💙
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #baby #bears #bearsofinstagram #blackbears #babybear #tule #cute
P3 enjoying a nice sunny afternoon & some window watching all while chatting away, of course!
P3 is in excellent health & has demonstrated that he can do all the skills required to survive in the wild….SO HE WILL BE RELEASED VERY SOON!
Yay!!!!
We have gotten a lot of questions about if we think P3 will be okay out in the wild or if we are worried that all his noises will attract predators.
Well….
We are not worried at all!
Why?
Well firstly P3 is a much older Porcupine & successfully lived in the wild for many years before he was injured in the Caldor Fire.
Secondly, he is well equipped with protection from predators! He can climb & then use camouflage to hide, not to mention he also had all his quills! There are also no predators that can hunt Porcupines up here in the basin. Coyotes, Bobcats, Mountain Lions & sometimes Bears will eat a Porcupine if it is already dead & can’t fight back. Otherwise trying to eat a Porcupine is not worth the effort!
As for him walking up to humans, we are not worried at all!
Yes, he tolerates us but really he would prefer to not have us around at all! He enjoys it when he is left alone & that’s exactly how we want it!
He was born & made for the wild!
You’ll be missed P3 but we are so excited for you to go home💙
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #porcupine #porcupines #P3 #talking #update
Check it out ➡️ someone is eating on his own!
Tule loves to eat. What a good thing too because he came in weighing 3.7 lbs & for a cub his age (born February 1, 2022) that is VERY VERY tiny!
After a week in our care he is now 4:5 lbs! Way to go little one!
Why is it great he is eating on his own?
Well if he wasn’t eating on his own he would have to be bottle fed, which is not as hands off as eating from a bowl. Eating on his own means no human contact & we are able to give him small pieces of fruit with his high calorie, high fat, high protein formula. Time to pack on the pounds Tule!
He has a long way to go & lots of weight to gain but we are thrilled with his appetite & progress so far.
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #newin #baby #bears #bearsofinstagram #blackbears #babybear #eating #animalvideos #wildlifevideos
Go P3, go P3, go P3!
Look who is climbing vertically!! You guessed it, P3!
We needed to see him demonstrate the skill of climbing up & down before he could be released.
Why??
Well Porcupines climb trees to hide, eat, rest & sleep! It’s a skill that they need to survive in the wild.
Yay P3!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #porcupine #porcupines #P3 #update
#climbing
Team work makes the MISSON work! Keeping wildlife WILD together💙
It takes a village to successfully rehab & release bear cubs & WOW are we lucky to be apart of this village!
Thank you to @californiadfw for planning, preparing & releasing the cubs back into the wild!
We are so lucky to work with such great people to accomplish the shared goal & dream of ensuring our wildlife stays wild.
Today Bodie, Thelma & Louise were checked out, GPS collared & are now on their way HOME!
Time to be WILD & FREE cubs💙
Good luck!
& again THANK YOU TO OUR VILLAGE!!!! From @californiadfw , to everyone at LTWC & can’t forget all our WILDLIFE HEROES….WE DID IT!!!!
Three more wild bear cubs are out there because of all of you💙
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #learning #bears #bearcubs #lesson #bearsofinstagram #babybears #backtothewild #wildboy #releaseday #goinghome #goodluck
As the babies start to develop & grow, they begin to participate very enthusiastically when being fed!
Look at the little paws grab & “help” hold the bottle!
Adorable❤️
Eat up little one so you can grow big, strong & live your BEST WILD life!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #babies #springtime #orphaned #greysquirrel #baby #feeding
The little cub had a BIG day!
He got his first LTWC Veterinarian check-up!
He will officially be know as Tule River Nation Bear cub, the area where he was rescued from. We will refer to him as Tule pronounced (Two-Lee).
He had blood drawn, his teeth & claws checked, as well as an eye & ear exam.
He is under weight & will need LOTS of nutrition.
His claws & teeth are in good condition & VERY sharp!
His coat was covered in burrs & the ear exam showed he had quite a few foxtails in both of his ears. Ouch! Thankfully our amazing vet, Dr Willitts, was able to remove them without any problems.
*see second & third picture*
We are happy you are in stable condition & safe, Tule!
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #BeAWildlifeHero #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildliferescue #wildliferehab #laketahoe #newin #baby #bears #bearsofinstagram #blackbears #babybear #tule
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.
