Modeling cognitive antecedents of tolerance for black bears: The roles of direct experience, knowledge, and risk perceptions

Abstract

ABSTRACT Understanding tolerance for wildlife requires accounting for the multiple cognitive antecedents of this concept and its contextual factors. We examined whether direct experience was associated with four antecedent dimensions of tolerance for black bears (antipathy, connection, lethal control [damage], lethal control [danger to self, pets, and economics]), both directly and indirectly via risk perception, self-assessed knowledge, and factual knowledge. We collected data using intercept surveys at trailheads in western Oregon, United States (n = 210). Risk perception was most strongly related to antipathy (cost-related beliefs) and connection (benefit-related beliefs) toward black bears. Self-assessed knowledge was most strongly associated with an individual’s assessment that bears are a nuisance (lethal control [damage] and a safety concern [danger to self, pets, and economics]). Direct experience was related to all four antecedents, whereas factual knowledge was not related to any dimension. Identifying drivers of tolerance can inform actionable recommendations that promote tolerance for wildlife.