Restoring elk in Minnesota: Landowner support for restoring an elk population

Public support is critical to successfully restore wildlife populations and avoid future human–wildlife conflict. We used a structural equation model (SEM) to analyze 2550 survey responses from landowners in northeast Minnesota to examine the influence of four psychological constructs on support for restoring a wild, free-ranging elk (Cervus canadensis) population in the region. Our model included perceived risk from elk, social trust in the state wildlife agency, perceived personal control over impacts from elk, and attitudes toward elk. Perceived risk, perceived personal control, and social trust each had a direct, significant impact on attitudes toward elk. Attitudes had a significant, direct effect on support for restoring elk, and perceived risk had a significant, indirect effect on support. Our model explained 66% of variability in support for restoring an elk population and 50% of variability in attitudes toward elk. We found abundant support among landowners to restore an elk population in northeast Minnesota, but continued effort will be necessary to maintain support when elk restoration occurs. Our findings in northeast Minnesota suggest messaging should focus on helping landowners cope with potential threats through improving their trust in the state wildlife agency (i.e., social trust) and ability to avoid negative outcomes from an elk population (i.e., personal control).