Tamarack the burned bear breaks out of South Lake Tahoe enclosure
Submitted by paula on Tue, 08/03/2021 - 11:13am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The bear burned in the Tamarack Fire and rehabilitating at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care (LTWC) has escaped its enclosure. Even though badly injured and bandaged up, the bear named Tamarack found its way out on sometime after seen on cameras in its enclosure on the evening of August 1.
The 25-28-pound bear was able to dig under a secured electrical fence, even with the burned and bandaged front paws.
LTWC circulated flyers around the facility and are asking residents to be on the lookout for the small bear. They said on a flyer that Tamarack is most likely in a three-mile radius and they have put out "Have a Heart" live traps and cameras in the area.
The non-profit specializing in animal care on the South Shore since 1978 could not comment on the situation as the Department of Fish & Wildlife is now in charge of the case. A message left with the agency for comment has not been returned at this time.
If Tamarack still has bandages on they are blue and orange. The rear paws had bandages removed prior to his escape.
LTWC asks people to secure their dogs as the bear cub could be injured by a dog due to his small size. They believe he could be in the Heavenly Valley, Tahoe Sierra or Black Bart neighborhoods. He could be up a tree and scared/hungry. Most likely he'd be on the move in the evening and nighttime hours.
It is encouraging to his caregivers Tamarack felt well enough to escape, but he is still in need of care and too young to fend for himself. The plans were to keep him at the facility until the age of 1.5 years when ready to be on his own.
"Our goal is to quickly locate him for his own health, safety," said LTWC on the distributed flyer. "With help with the community we are hopeful for a quick recovery and appreciated assistance from the Lake Tahoe community in our efforts."
LTWC asks that the public not come to the facility to offer help in searching for the bear. They also don't need people out searching for him as it may push him further away.
If anyone sees Tamarack, do not approach. Observe him and call LTWC at 530.577.2273.