CDFW News

‘A Massive Win’: Rehabilitated Black Bears Thriving After Fall Releases

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:57:03 GMT

Five orphaned black bear cubs that were rehabilitated and released into northern California in November 2025 successfully hibernated through the winter and returned to the landscape this spring healthy and active, according to recent data reviewed by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) scientists.

These bears were part of an experimental effort led by the department’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Program, in coordination with CDFW’s Game Conservation Program and North Central Region, to test the viability of releasing rehabilitated juvenile black bears back in the wild in the fall versus the typical spring release. This practice – which can be helpful in mitigating human-wildlife conflict – has been successful in other states but had yet to be tested in California.

All five bears were ear-tagged, microchipped and fitted with GPS collars for scientific study and individual identification. Based on collar data, all five bears successfully established dens, hibernated during the winter, and reemerged this spring back on the landscape.

“This is a massive win. These bears spent their first winter hibernating naturally in the wild as opposed to staying overwinter in a facility, which can be costly and difficult to do. It means less time in rehabilitation and less opportunity to get comfortable around humans,” said Dr. Heather Perry, CDFW’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Program Coordinator. “We were able to work together to release these healthy young animals back to the wild where they belong. It highlights the important and unique role of wildlife rehabilitators – and wildlife rehabilitation by its very definition – in the conservation of California’s native wildlife.”

The releases were made possible by CDFW’s wildlife rehabilitation partners with support from the CDFW Wildlife Health Lab and veterinary staff who provided health assessments prior to release. CDFW decided to test the fall bear releases after noting the success of fall releases in other western states, specifically Nevada and Washington.

“Bears are incredibly resilient. They have an innate behavior to find shelter when snow starts to accumulate on the ground,” said Alexia Ronning, CDFW Environmental Scientist and Tahoe bear specialist. “They teach us all the time that we need to trust their ability to survive on the landscape.”

The five bears include:

Two female siblings reported to CDFW as orphaned near Nevada City, Nevada County in May 2025. Both cubs were captured and taken to the Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue for rehabilitation then returned together to suitable habitat in Nevada County.

One male cub reported to CDFW as abandoned in South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County in July 2025. The cub was captured and taken to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue for rehabilitation then returned to suitable habitat in El Dorado County.

Three male siblings reported to CDFW as abandoned in Arnold, Calaveras County in July 2025. The cubs were captured and taken to the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center for rehabilitation. One sibling arrived sick and was humanely euthanized. The remaining two cubs were transferred to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue then returned together to suitable habitat in Calaveras County.

CDFW provides year-round education, outreach and community support on living responsibly with black bears and recreating in bear country through its affiliations with the Tahoe Interagency Bear Team (TIBT) and BearWise. Preventing black bears from accessing trash, human food sources and other attractants is key to preventing human-bear conflicts.

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Media Contact:
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

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CDFW Image: A cluster of GPS points overlayed on satellite imagery over a three-month period in winter shows very little movement and indicates to CDFW biologists that the GPS-collared Calaveras County bear wearing the collar found a den and hibernated.

CDFW Offers Guidance on How to Help Wildlife During Wildfire Emergencies

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 15:05:40 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued guidance on how best to help wildlife during major fire events such as those taking place currently in Los Angeles County.

CDFW is appreciative of every person who has reached out wanting to help wild animals in California. It’s important to remember that California’s native wildlife are incredibly resilient and best left alone or assisted by trained professionals.

Who to Contact

If you find an orphaned, sick or injured wild animal after a fire event, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or your local CDFW regional wildlife program for guidance. These wild animals often have serious injuries that require specialized care and treatment by a trained wildlife professional.

Dangers and Risks

Wild animals can be dangerous. Wildlife that are fed by humans often lose their natural fear of people and can become bolder or more aggressive. Do not attempt to capture or handle a wild animal.
Wild animals can cause injury or harm. Any displaced or distressed wild animal can cause injury to humans and pets. If you encounter a wild animal, provide an escape route, and move to a safe location. It will likely leave on its own.
Feeding wildlife can cause them harm. Providing unnatural food and water sources may encourage a wild animal to stay in burned areas. This places them at risk for burns, other injuries, and exposure to harsh chemicals and smoke.
Feeding wildlife can spread disease. Many wildlife diseases are transferred through close or direct contact between animals. Wild animals that gather around feeding stations or artificial water sources can spread diseases to each other. Wildlife can also transmit diseases or parasites to people and pets.

Preventing Human-Wildlife Conflict

Do not provide food or water to wildlife. Feeding wildlife does more harm than good. Certain wildlife species such as black bears, bobcats, coyotes, deer, and mountain lions can be displaced into urban areas after a fire.
Do not attempt to rehabilitate wild animals if you are not a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. This places humans, pets and wildlife at risk. An untrained person may unintentionally prolong suffering and reduce the chance of the wild animal being able to return to the wild.

How CDFW is Helping in Southern California

CDFW is actively monitoring the intake of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.
CDFW is providing support and coordination to wildlife rehabilitation facilities affected by fire events.
CDFW is responding to public inquiries directly regarding potentially displaced wildlife.

How You Can Help

Volunteer for a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility. Contact individual wildlife rehabilitators to determine if they need volunteers.
Donate directly to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility.
Contribute to the Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund using California state tax form (Line 439). All funds are provided to eligible wildlife rehabilitators. 
Use the CDFW Wildlife Mortality Reporting System to report dead wildlife
Use the CDFW Human-Wildlife Conflicts Toolkit web page for information on how to minimize human-wildlife conflicts.

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Media Contacts:
Katie Talbot, CDFW Communications, (916) 204-1381
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

CDFW Captures South Lake Tahoe Conflict Bear and Her Three Cubs

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:25:12 GMT

Bears Destined for Wildlife Sanctuary in Colorado and Rehabilitation Facility in Sonoma County

Wildlife biologists for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) this morning safely immobilized a large female conflict bear responsible for at least 21 DNA-confirmed home break-ins and extensive property damage in the South Lake Tahoe area since 2022. Her three cubs were also captured in the effort.

Pending a successful veterinary check, CDFW has secured permission from the State of Colorado to transport the female black bear, known as 64F, and place it with The Wild Animal Sanctuary near Springfield, Colorado, which has agreed to care for it in its expansive facilities. This large black bear is one of multiple bears identified by the public last year as “Hank the Tank” based on visual observations.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has the authority to approve only one such placement and is using that authorization for this bear. Relocation is not typically an option for conflict animals over concern that relocating an animal will relocate the conflict behavior to a different community. However, given the widespread interest in this bear, and the significant risk of a serious incident involving the bear, CDFW is employing an alternative solution to safeguard the bear family as well as the people in the South Lake Tahoe community.

The sow's three young cubs, which have accompanied the bear on recent home break-ins, will potentially be relocated to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue, a CDFW-permitted wildlife rehabilitation facility in Petaluma in hopes they can discontinue the negative behaviors they learned from the sow and can be returned to the wild. All three cubs were given a health assessment in the field before transfer and will receive additional examination at the facility. One of the cubs is believed to have suffered serious injuries from a vehicle strike last month, though is still mobile. The injured cub will be given a thorough veterinary evaluation.

Bear 64F has been monitored closely by CDFW since 2022. In March of 2023, she was discovered denning under a residence in South Lake Tahoe along with her three male cubs of the year. Staff from CDFW and the Nevada Department of Wildlife immobilized the bear, collected DNA evidence, attached an ear tag and affixed a satellite tracking collar to the bear. Staff also implanted Passive Integrated Transponders, known as PIT tags, into the cubs for future identification. The PIT tags contain a microchip similar to what’s implanted into pet dogs and cats for identification.

Bear 64F shed the satellite tracking collar last May. The bear’s DNA, however, has been confirmed at 21 home invasions in the South Lake Tahoe area between February 2022 and May 2023 with the bear suspected in additional break-ins and property damage.

CDFW’s updated Black Bear Policy (PDF), released in February 2022, allows for the placement and relocation of conflict bears in limited circumstances when other management options have been exhausted and as an alternative to lethal actions.

CDFW file photos. These and additional photos and video are available for download at the following FTP link.

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Media Contact:
Jordan Traverso, CDFW Communications, (916) 212-7352

Help Save California’s Native Wildlife and Plant Species When Filing Your Taxes

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 12:44:36 GMT

Would you like to help the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) recover and rehabilitate animals after they’ve been injured or orphaned by wildfires? What about supporting CDFW’s research into why the California sea otter population is unable to flourish in its native coastal waters? Or how drought and climate change affect California’s native plants and wildlife?

You can have a positive impact on these key issues affecting California’s native species when you donate to CDFW’s tax check-off funds on your California State Income Tax Form 540.

By donating even a few dollars to the Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Voluntary Tax Contribution Program (line 403 on Tax Form 540), the California Sea Otter Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund (line 410) and the Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund (line 439) you will help conserve and protect our state’s most at-risk species.

Donations to the Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Voluntary Tax Contribution Program (line 403) have helped fund work benefiting California’s imperiled plants, wildlife and fish since 1983. Recent recovery actions supported by the program include projects to save the Kenwood Marsh checkerbloom plant species and the Santa Cruz long-toed salamander. Funds also helped the Southern Sierra Nevada fisher, a small, carnivorous mammal in the mustelid family (commonly called weasel), from extinction. These are just three of the more than 1,000 native animal and 5,000 native plant species threatened by habitat loss and climate change in California. Of these, at least one-third of plants and two-thirds of animals are endemic species that occur nowhere else in the world. More than 300 are designated by the state as rare, threatened or endangered. Loss of habitat, water management conflicts, invasive species and overarching effects of climate change are the greatest threats to their long-term survival.

Contributions to the California Sea Otter Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund (line 410) are split between CDFW and the State Coastal Conservancy to benefit Southern sea otters. Southern sea otters are the smallest of all marine mammals and once lived in nearshore waters along California’s entire coast. They play an important role in supporting the nearshore marine ecosystem through helping to maintain healthy kelp forests and sea grasses. Since 1995, the California sea otter population has fluctuated between 2,000 and 3,000, as their numbers have been slow to rebound due to a variety of factors including pollution, boat strikes and parasites from terrestrial animals. CDFW uses its portion of tax donations to fund research on causes of sea otter mortality. The Coastal Conservancy uses its portion for grants to support research and facilitate sea otter population recovery.

Donations to the Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund (line 439) help support the care provided by permitted wildlife rehabilitation facilities to California’s injured, sick and orphaned native wildlife. CDFW uses donations to provide funds directly to wildlife rehabilitators statewide through a competitive grant program. Grant awards are used to support activities that include, but are not limited to, innovation in animal care during rehabilitation, veterinarian treatment, dietary and behavioral enrichment, facility operations, post-release monitoring, and conservation education for the public and local communities. Permitted wildlife rehabilitators are important non-profit partners that strive to provide highly specialized, quality care to wildlife for the purpose of their return to the wild. They often struggle to operate during difficult economic times. Donations to this fund will help California’s native wildlife in need now more than ever!

The California state tax deadline for filing your 2021 taxes with the Franchise Tax Board is April 18, 2022. If someone else prepares your state tax return, let them know you want to donate to the Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Voluntary Tax Contribution Program (line 403 on tax form 540), the California Sea Otter Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund (line 410) and/or the Native California Wildlife Rehabilitation Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund (Line 439). If you use tax preparation software, go to the contributions section on Form 540 near the end of your tax return and make a voluntary contribution. Contributions must be $1 or more, in whole dollar amounts. These contributions help CDFW acquire federal matching funds for research, surveys and monitoring projects. They also help support the recovery and rehabilitation of injured, sick or orphaned wildlife and conservation education. Thank you for helping us save our most vulnerable plant and wildlife species.

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Media Contacts:
Laird Henkel, CDFW Sea Otter Program, (831) 469-1726
Esther Burkett, CDFW Wildlife Diversity Program, (916) 531-1594
Heather Perry, CDFW Wildlife Rehabilitation Program Coordinator, (916) 358-2790
Cristin Walters, CDFW Habitat Conservation Planning Branch (plants), (916) 720-1234
Leticia Palamidessi, CDFW Communications, (916) 708-8517