Nevada County Local News: Animals

Lake Tahoe watercraft inspection stations, boat launches, and marinas are opening for the 2025 boating season and aquatic invasive species management agencies are encouraging boaters and paddlers to stay up to date with strengthened procedures to protect the lake from the spread of aquatic invasive species.

California's Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) was operating on a black bear conservation and management plan from 1998—up until last Monday, when they released an update that will help track local populations, conserve their habitats, and consider both animal and human welfare.

The annual National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day is set for April 30, and the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe is inviting the community to come and meet the available pets for adoption. This year, HSTT is reminding everyone that the local shelter is a great place to find animals of every type, size, age and personality – all waiting for loving and permanent homes. HSTT's staff and volunteers are eager to share the stories of these incredible pets that have found their way to the shelter. 

Last Saturday, Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care's (LTWC) second annual "Born to Be Wild" fundraiser increased its attendance from last year, raised over $5000, and received 150 items from their wishlist, making it possible for them to improve care during the "baby season."

The snow is already melting in the Lake Tahoe region and the end of winter gives way to a busy spring for wildlife in the area. Bears that have been in winter dens are emerging, and they are hungry!

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is currently monitoring a sow and its yearling after removing the pair from an apartment parking lot near Northstar California Resort earlier this week.

At the Tahoe Environmental Research Center's (TERC) "Ski with a Scientist" event, Dr. Rachel Vannette spoke to the Tribune on her lab's exciting research on how bees survive harsh winters, using preservation techniques that can resemble how humans ferment food.

Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick (R-Alturas) introduced Assembly Bill 1038 to address California's rapidly growing black bear population through non-lethal wildlife management. AB 1038 will reintroduce a "pursuit season", that will allow trained dogs to haze bears without harming them.

Wildlife researchers Tanya Diamond and Ahíga Sandoval at Pathways for Wildlife were initially met with worry after viewing footage of a three-legged coyote on one of their field cameras last March, unaware that this coyote would soon unveil important findings for wildlife in Tahoe.

Licensing dogs is now easier, modernized, and more valuable for residents as the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (HSTT) launches its partnership with DocuPet, a world-leading pet profile and lost pet licensing platform.