Restoring the wild east: Predicting public support for cougar and red wolf reintroduction in the eastern United States

Restoring large carnivores to human-dominated landscapes remains ecologically and socially contentious, though reintroduction may offer important benefits where coexistence is possible. Yet, efforts to reintroduce cougars (Puma concolor) and red wolves (Canis rufus) in the Eastern U.S. face major challenges, largely due to human-caused mortality and opposition. We employed the hazard acceptance model and structural equation modeling to investigate the socio-psychological drivers of public support for reintroduction. Survey data were collected from residents of the Eastern U.S. for cougars (n = 2665) and red wolves (n = 3825). For both species, support was positively associated with perceived personal and societal benefits and negatively associated with perceived societal risks. Perceived personal risk significantly reduced support for cougars, but had no effect for red wolves. Positive affect toward each species strongly influenced support by shaping risk and benefit perceptions. Perceived control over risks also reduced risk perceptions and boosted support. These findings highlight species-specific concerns and suggest pathways for more effective outreach, conflict mitigation, and carnivore recovery planning.