Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care Update: Bobcats, 'Chips' plus a Golden Eagle release on Sunday

As ‘some’ of you may be aware, Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care now has a total of FIVE (5) bobcats in house. We have had a total of six this year, which is the most we have EVER had, but the one we got in about a month ago, was just with us for about 3 days, after being hit by a car in the Woodfords, Calif., area. We got ‘her’ back so she could - hopefully – take care of her babies.

Of the five we have left, three of them came in on May 20th, the second day of our annual training seminar. About three weeks ago, one of those original three was limping in our ‘Bobcat’ cage. As it turned out, she ‘somehow’ broke her right front leg. Dr. Willitts took an X-Ray and determined the exact damage, then took her down to Reno for a specialist to perform the surgery, which was successful. However, for the next three weeks, our instructions were to leave her alone as much as possible to allow her surgery to heal.

Today, Dr. Willitts took a follow up X-Ray and determined that she has healed about as much as she was going to. So, AFTER she woke up from her sedative, we let her out of her pet carrier to be with the other two siblings. The three of them have been getting ‘used’ to each other for the past hour or so, but, so far no fur flying!

Thank you to Dr. Willitts for taking such good care of the veterinary needs of ALL of the birds and animals he assists with. For more than 25 years, he was been there to volunteer his time for the betterment of the wildlife entrusted to LTWC.

Yes, we still have Chips and, now, Sierra. Chips came to us from the ‘Chips’ fire near Lake Almanor about 2 ½ weeks ago and Sierra came to us from the Sierra Army Depot near Herlong, Calif., (just south of Susanville) where he got separated from his mother. He is about 1 week older than Chips. After we clear up Chips’ problem with Coccidia, we will be able to put the two together. Other than the Coccidia, Chips is doing very well and growing every day. Since we now have two cats, almost the same age, we will most likely raise them both here at LTWC, and then release them in a suitable environment early in the new year. We will keep you updated on all five bobcats.

On another note, we will be releasing another Golden Eagle THIS Sunday, September 22nd. We plan to meet at LTWC at 10am, then caravan up towards old Highway 40, west of Donner Lake. The exact location will be determined tomorrow (Friday). Anyone who would like to join us is more than welcome. We anticipate the release to take place at or around 11:30am.

Photo info:

The first picture shows how we 'exercise' the birds in an open field with Wayne McKnight throwing the bird up into the air. (Photo by John Adamski, LTWC volunteer).

The second picture shows the first Eagle Exercise team of the season, when we were 'evaluating' the three (at the time) Golden Eagles for possible exercise. From l - r; Bob Sweatt, Tim Saltonstall, Wayne McKnight and Pete Van Arnum. (Photo by Tom Millham, LTWC Secty/Treas).