The Roles of Risk Perceptions and Social Trust in Willingness to Pay for Wildlife Reintroduction

Abstract

Economic valuation can aid decision-makers in justifying the costs of conservation programs like wildlife reintroductions. Factors like stakeholder trust and confidence in conservation professionals for their ability to manage risks may play important roles in determining how local residents support and value the conservation of reintroduced species. This study analyzed data collected from a household survey of residents near an elk restoration zone in East Tennessee and found their willingness to pay (WTP) for reintroduced elk conservation to be $45.53 per household. Moreover, WTP was positively related with trust and confidence in agency professionals, and negatively related with perceived risks associated with elk. WTP also varied according to resident dependence on land for income and demographic characteristics. Results shed light on the economic benefit of wildlife reintroduction programs and the importance of social-psychological factors such as risk perception, trust and confidence in enhancing support for conservation programs.