Ready for the wild: Tahoe bear cubs rehabilitated and set free

Three bear cubs, nursed back to health by Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, Inc., were released into the wild this week.
The bears, each close to a year old, were brought to the South Lake Tahoe facility last summer where they were found malnourished and without mothers.
The California Department of Fish and Game released one of the cubs, a female, north of Truckee on Tuesday and two were taken to Alpine County on Wednesday. The cubs were put into winter dens made by Fish and Game biologists.

Tom and Cheryl Millham, founders of Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, Inc., described the cubs as starving when they came to the center. Each were investigated to determine if they were fit to return to the wild. Over the past few months the cubs fed on fruits, nuts, vegetables and bear food prepared by the Millhams.
The female cub, found abandoned in Carnelian Bay, was especially feisty, said Denise Upton, president of LTWC and active volunteer.
"Some are tougher than others. She's a compact little piece of work and that's why I think she'll do fine," she said. LTWC volunteers Jennifer Simmons and Kimberly Rogue were also on hand Tuesday as was Sacramento area third grader Alex Macintyre, who said he was writing about the experience for a class project.
The two other cubs, both males and believed to be orphaned, were found locally: one near Sierra House Elementary School and the other in the Spring Creek Tract.
With Tuesday's release Cheryl Millham noted that it is important for the cubs to become rehabilitated and sent back into the wild "where their spirit should be free."
In other news: Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care is now registering volunteers for the 32nd annual two-day training seminar. LTWC is an independent nonprofit volunteer organization with the function to "Raise, Rehabilitate and Release" wildlife. All orphaned and injured animals are given care by trained volunteers.
Registration forms are available now. Classes will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20. The Saturday session is from 8:30 to 4 p.m. and the Sunday session is from 9:30 to 4 p.m. at the LTWC Center, 1385 Cherry Hills Circle, South Lake Tahoe. The cost is $60 per person. For families the cost is $60 for the first family member and $40 for each additional family member. The fee includes a one year membership with Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care and a training manual. Deadline for registration is Sunday, May 13. Go to www.ltwc.org or call
Call (530) 577-2273.