The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) North Central Region this summer began offering residents and property owners a new tool to minimize human-bear conflicts: “unwelcome mats” that deliver a jolt of electricity when bears get too close, curious or comfortable around a residence and step on the electrified doormat.
These “eMats” have been used safely and effectively in front of doors and below windows for over a decade in the Lake Tahoe Basin and elsewhere around the country. When bears receive the temporary shock, this “tough love” can help train them to stay away from human dwellings and remain in the wild. Last month, the Human-Wildlife Conflicts team from CDFW’s North Central Region started issuing these devices to members of the public.
Jason Holley, a longtime CDFW wildlife biologist and black bear conflict specialist, says: “The plan is to temporarily loan these limited-supply eMats to our highest-need residents. These folks are already practicing sound bear-awareness techniques but are still having issues."
Since launching the eMat lending program in June, these non-lethal devices have been well-received by North Central Region residents and may be available to the public in other areas of the state soon. People wearing shoes and rubber-soled footwear are immune from the shock, and the devices can be shut off easily when people and pets are around.
CDFW has a very limited supply of 20 e-mats for use statewide, including the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin where human-black bear interactions are very common. CDFW managers hope the public will see how effective these eMats can be in discouraging bear conflicts and then buy or build their own. CDFW will also be looking for options to acquire additional eMats if demand is high. The eMats retail for about $500 or can be made using common supplies found at local hardware stores.
Residents experiencing significant and active conflicts with black bears in the 17-county North Central Region interested in an eMat can call the North Central Region’s Human-Wildlife Conflict Hotline at (916) 358-2917. For more information on black bears, including living and recreating safely in bear country, please see CDFW’s black bear page.