Mapping and modeling the components of human tolerance for black bears in eastern Oklahoma

In North America, challenges associated with human-black bear (Ursus americanus) interactions have increased in recent decades. We used the structural equation modeling framework to understand how psychological factors such as perceived benefits, risks, social trust, salient value similarities, and locus of control interacted described human tolerance black bears Oklahoma. Our results suggested that trust state wildlife agency's ability manage significantly affected both risk benefits perception. The spatial hotspot analysis showed residents metropolitan areas had more positive attitudes toward compared rural residents, management populations. Trust agency was low areas, specifically southeastern Conversely, perception higher near one state's two extant populations than removed from ranges. suggest managers focus efforts on building strong relational foundations for between personnel addition demonstrating competence techniques.