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Risk perception as a factor in Wildlife Stakeholder Acceptance Capacity for cougars in montana

Abstract The increased frequency of cougar attacks on humans throughout western North America has created a daunting challenge for wildlife managers concerned about sustainable coexistence of humans and large carnivores. A mail back questionnaire (n = 805) measured wildlife stakeholder acceptance capacity (WSAC) for cougars in Montana and improved understanding of how cognitive and affective risk perceptions affect WSAC. Respondents who reported a lower WSAC, inferred by a preference for a decrease in cougar populations, perceived significantly greater risks and a higher proportion worried about problems from cougars than respondents who preferred stable or increasing populations. Cognitive risk perception greatly exceeded estimates of actual risks indicated by objective analysis. These results present the possibility that WSAC can be modified for cougars, and presumably other large carnivores, through management actions and communication that affect perceptions of risk to humans.