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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Rescue

Rehabilitation

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Community Education
What’s New
In January, the bigger bear cubs were merged together. The original orphans: Oak, Sugar, and Pine were introduced to the Gang of Five, which comprises the triplets: Lake, Izzy, and Bella, and the twins: Mary and Posa. In general, the new Great Eight tolerate each other but primarily interact with their own separate, more familial group.
The food supply for these healthier bear cubs has been slowly reduced since November to try and trigger the natural torpor/hibernation response. Torpor is a sleepy state of inactivity, which is a physical reaction to a shortage of food, not cold weather. Soon they will no longer receive any food.
Since Tule’s skin condition requires daily treatment, and he needs to continue to eat to maintain his overall health, LTWC wants him to stay awake. Tule has been removed from his original orphan group of four and merged with the little underweight cubs that will continue to feed and fatten up over winter.
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Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
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Challenge, the most recent bear cub to join LTWC, spent some time decompressing and getting used to his new environment. LTWC's vet has cleared both Challenge and Tahoe's health, which means all of the underweight cubs' enclosures can stay open and allow socializing.
Some cubs stay close to their home enclosure, and some stray far. But they appear to be less stir-crazy if they know they can roam. Each cub’s priority is eating, so food theft is a daily sport. Valley and Baker are exceptionally skilled.
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Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
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A night camera captures bear cub Tule!
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Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#tuesdayvibes #tuesdaymotivation #tuleriverreservation #bearpalooza #bearcubrescue #blackbears #rescuerehabrelease #laketahoe #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #southlaketahoe #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #bearcam #Tule
This juvenile raccoon has been in LTWC’s care for a few months, found in the middle of a street in Markleville. It displayed an abnormal gate, possibly from trauma, and has been under continuous observation by the animal care staff. This raccoon’s favorite spot is hiding away, curled up on a comfy heated pad.
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Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#laketahoewildlifecare #rescuerehabrelease #laketahoewildlife #laketahoe #LTWC #wildlifeconservation #tahoewildlife #wildlifehero #protectwildlife #raccoons
Fun Fact: Black Bears are largely solitary creatures
Oak takes a moment to just sit still
LTWC has been reducing the bigger bear cubs’ food supply to try and trigger the natural torpor/hibernation response. Torpor is like a sleepy state of inactivity, which is a physical reaction to a shortage of food, not cold weather
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#happysaturdayeveryone #lazysaturday #bearpalooza #bearcubrescue #blackbears #rescuerehabrelease #laketahoe #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #southlaketahoe #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #bearcam #saturdaymood #bestill #alonetime #selfcare
A 2AM night camera captures bear cub Baker!
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Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#FridayThoughts #FridayFunny #bearpalooza #bearcubrescue #blackbears #rescuerehabrelease #laketahoe #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #southlaketahoe #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #bearcam #baker #bakersfield
Some wildlife heroes found this Red Crossbill in a driveway and brought her to LTWC for care. In examining the left shoulder, the bird displayed pain, but an Animal Care Technician did not discover any obvious breaks. She’s eating well and is active.
A Red Crossbill is a finch that uses its specialized bill to break into tightly closed cones. Females are identified by their yellowish and dark unmarked wings.
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Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
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Food, Friendship, Fun! Oak, Tule, Pine & Sugar hang out together by the tire swing
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Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#bearpalooza #bearcubrescue #blackbears #rescuerehabrelease #laketahoe #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #southlaketahoe #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #bearcam #oak #pine #tule #sugar
Squirrel Camera!
The four rescued Douglas Squirrels are enjoying the big enclosure!
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Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
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Happy Monday, hang in there like The Triplets!
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Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#bearpalooza #bearcubrescue #blackbears #rescuerehabrelease #laketahoe #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #southlaketahoe #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #bearcam #mondaymood #mondayvibes #dontgiveup #snowday
Tahoe, bear cub #14, who was found locally and brought to LTWC by the BEAR League, is definitely improving! She is eating well and showing appropriate den behavior by gathering up straw. One way she can be identified is by the bright red ear tag in her left ear.
LTWC is currently rehabbing 15 bear cubs, all with the goal of a spring release back into the wild. We thank you for your continued support!
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#Tahoe #Tahoebears #bearpalooza #bearcubrescue #blackbears #rescuerehabrelease #laketahoe #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #ittakesavillage #southlaketahoe #BEARleague #Ilovelaketahoe #protectwildlife #bearcam #SaturdayVibe
Challenge, bear cub #15 from Challenge, CA, is a male! He only weighs 18 lbs, which means he is the tiniest cub to arrive at LTWC this fall/winter.
Unlike the last two cubs, Tahoe & Cole, he had no evidence of frostbite, just big healthy paws. The Animal Care Team removed lots of fleas & ticks and treated his skin topically. He also now has a bright green tag in his right ear. Challenge’s breathing is a little labored, so his care team will continue to monitor him closely.
It has been the highest orphaned bear cub season that LTWC has experienced, and we don’t know why. Please consider donating to help us care for all these bear cubs.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #bearcubrescue #blackbears #bearcubs #bearlife #protectwildlife #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #ittakesavillage #bearpalooza #challenge #challengeCA #sacramentokings #hockey #NHL #cozyblanket
Back in December, the three larger female bear cubs enjoyed a snow day. Sugar is jumping up to try and bite some snowflakes and then tackles Oak. Pine is playing around the tunnel.
LTWC has been reducing the bigger bear cubs’ food supply to try and trigger the natural torpor/hibernation response. Torpor is like a sleepy state of inactivity, which is a physical reaction to a shortage of food, not cold weather. Their food supply will soon be turned off.
Bear cubs are all born around the same time, Jan/Feb (2022). Note how much larger in size these cubs are compared to the new underweight arrivals. The little cubs will be fed throughout the winter in order to fatten them up for a hopeful spring release.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #bearcubrescue #blackbears #bearcubs #bearlife #protectwildlife #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildlifeplanet #ittakesavillage #bearpalooza #torpor #hibernation #snowday #havefun #Sugar #Oak #Pine
It’s Bearpalooza! Tiny Bear Cub #15 has arrived from Challenge, CA. LTWC’s vet is giving it a few days to decompress before sedating it for an exam. Updates to come soon.
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Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#wildlifeheroes #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #LTWC #bearcubrescue #blackbears #bearcubs #bearlife #protectwildlife #rescuerehabrelease #wildlifeconservation #wildlifeplanet #ittakesavillage #bearpalooza
Squirrel Camera!
If a squirrel has a good food year, she can have a 2nd litter in the fall. This past October, tree cutters heard squeaking coming from the aspen they were in the process of removing and immediately called LTWC. These wildlife heroes then carefully cut out a section of log and transported it to the center.
An animal care technician gently removed four Douglas Squirrel Kits which have been cared for ever since. They have now graduated to a large room enclosure with lots more space to explore and play.
https://ltwc.org/donate/
Venmo @LakeTahoeWildlifeCare
#douglassquirrels #squirrelstagram #babysquirrels #fallwildlife #rescuerehabrelease #LakeTahoeWildlifeCare #laketahoewildlife #laketahoe #wildlifeconservation #tahoewildlife #treetrimming #ittakesavillage #wildlifeheroes
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.