What is happening with Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care?

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Over the last several months, many stories have circulated in the community about Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care (LTWC). These stories have included animals being euthanized, long-time volunteers and staff members being let go, a board that isn't transparent, coyotes breaking in and killing an eaglet, and the loss of a permit to house rehabilitating bears.

LTWC was started by volunteers Cheryl and Tom Millham, who ran the non-profit out of their home from 1978 to 2019 when the nonprofit moved to a new 27-acre facility on Al Tahoe Boulevard in South Lake Tahoe (read the Millham's story here).

Since the Millhams left there have been a few executive directors and a changing board of directors as the nonprofit grows with paid staff in a new home.

Some of that growth is coming under fire, and some actions have led to LTWC losing both its federal and state wildlife rehabilitation permits.

With the latest two managers leaving the organization, it left LTWC without a rehabilitation permit. The way it works in California is that the permit is issued to a person, not a facility, so when they lost the only staff member with a permit, their five bear cubs had to be transferred to another permitted location. There were over 30 animals in the care of LTWC at the time.

According to the LTWC Board Secretary Tara Christian, they learned of the permit-holding manager's plan to leave and surrender their permit.

Christian said Catherine Mendez, their executive director, already has the 1000 hours of bear rehabilitation experience to satisfy one part of the permit, they are working on satisfying other needs - repairs to some of the enclosures. They are currently working on a punch list of requested fixes. The LTWC ambassador and education permits could be transferred quickly to Mendez so those animals didn't have to leave, just the bears.

"Our main focus has been in complying with the terms of the permit," said Christian. "It's been frustrating."

Since the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) decides where bears are moved to when needing rehab or with the loss of a mother, they call the shots on how enclosures are maintained.

Christian said they follow CDFW guidelines and directions when working with raptors as well.

"These are the state's animals, not LTWC's," explained Christian.

There has also been concern about animals being euthanized inside LTWC. Christian said CDFW issues the orders if that is the course of action after consulting with veterinarians so they can do the humane thing, it's not their call.

"What's best for the animal isn't always warm and fuzzy," said Christian.

Ambassador Animals

One of the beloved aspects of LTWC has been their ambassador animals that visit schools. For years, LTWC had satellite locations in volunteers' homes and most of the ambassadors living in homes were birds.

LTWC closed down the satellites to bring operations back under the roof of the new facility. Many of the volunteers had spent years with the animals and birds and were heartbroken to not only lose their partners but to also learn they'd been euthanized.

Christian said all ambassador animals and birds were brought back to the facility as the conditions of their wildlife permits were not being met off-site. They were evaluated to see if they met the requirements of being an ambassador, or had to be euthanized.

She says, why have a state-of-the-art facility and send animals to satellites?

There were seven satellite locations in South Lake Tahoe.

"There was no humane treatment for many of them," said Christian. She said those were euthanized and the rest were brought into the center. She added that there were no bad intentions on the part of those keeping the ambassadors at the satellites, but many issues could have been prevented if a veterinarian had spotted them if located in the facility.

"They were passionate, good people who got attached," Christian said of the ambassadors. Many of those ambassadors are still heartbroken over their loss. "They cared a lot," she added of the volunteers.

The Board Secretary said their focus is wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release.

The ending of the ambassador program and change of focus led long-time board member Sue Novasel to walk out after 20 years of serving Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care. She said she was sad to do so, but she couldn't stand by and watch what was happening.

Other board members have left, as have volunteers and staff members.

Hired Staff

For decades the Millhams ran the operation on a volunteer basis, but new leadership has taken a different direction. They have hired professionals who have direct oversight with clear treatment plans for those in their care, including feeding logs.

"We hired professionals to handle the program," said Christian. She said they were brought in for the animals though it was hard on the humans who'd been handling them. "Feelings and emotions of humans can't be greater than the animals'," added Christian.

"They aren't pets," said Christian. "Our permit conditions don't allow it."

Transparency

Some members of the public who are long-term supporters of LTWC, want the organization to be more transparent, and open board meetings to the public. Christian said they are not a public entity and have a private board so rules are different than, let's say, a city council meeting.

"We value transparency and communication," said Christian. She said they are trying to solve problems and welcome those presenting a topic. Christian said they want the public to be a part of the solution, not a detractor.

Well Being of the Animals

There have been break-ins at the Al Tahoe Blvd. facility. Coyotes, bears, squirrels, and others, though it was a coyote(s) that recently broke in and killed an eaglet.

While their goal is to keep rehabilitating animals safe, and others out, there have been breaches.

Christian said they are working on upgrades and making changes to the perimeter under the direction of CDFW.

"We also don't want to endanger those trying to get in," said Christian.

Upgrades and repairs are expensive, and LTWC appreciates the help from volunteers so funds can be spent on rehab. They had to quickly revamp an enclosure to accommodate fawns since there were many predators, and volunteers helped make it happen.

Christian said CDFW signed off on everything at the facility three months ago, but since they lost the permit they gave the nonprofit a new list of things to be fixed.

Hours of the Facility

There have been complaints in the community of LTWC not answering their phones after hours and on weekends which they appreciated with the Millhams. Christian said they are working to restructure a public reporting line. She said they don't have animal collection vehicles or 24/7 phones, they are doing the "best we can."

"We are actively working on how to help the public and intake of animals," said Christian. She said they are working toward a staffed phone tree during busy animal season. They will also work on having qualified staff on-site for intake.

The Rules

"Volunteers taking injured animals home violates the permit," said Christian. "Permits set the rules,"

"It was too blurred before," said Christian.

She said they are becoming more professional, going by the rules dictated by permits. They are reorganizing and the openings they currently have are on national job boards.

Besides transparency, she said LTWC is also working on being efficient with supplies and forecasting with "tight funds."

This is only the first of a few stories about the situation at LTWC.