The reintroduction of endangered wolves to their historical ranges is often framed in terms of human-centered costs and benefits–the latter, more frequently. For example, wildlife officials may emphasize potential human-wildlife conflict in their outlook for future reintroduction rather than possibilities for coexistence. 

In doing so, officials may hyperfocus on negative attitudes toward the recovery of endangered wolves and project their negative perspectives on broad swaths of the American public. Yet, a recent study shatters common assumptions like this by showing widespread support for red wolf reintroduction across the eastern United States.

Public Attitudes Toward Red Wolf Reintroduction 

A recent study authored by Drs. Ben Ghasemi and Jeremey Bruskotter of Ohio State University’s School of Environment and Natural Resources, in collaboration with Wolf Conservation Center’s senior research scientist, Dr. Joseph Hinton, showed that the general public living in the eastern United States broadly support red wolf reintroduction [1]. Out of 3,825 individuals living in states within the red wolf’s historical range, the average survey respondent demonstrated knowledgeable and positive opinions about the potential for red wolves to return to eastern US landscapes. 

Survey participants were asked to indicate how much they agreed or disagreed with a given statement on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest agreement. When asked about potential for conflict, the average response (2.75) showed that people are largely aware that wolves do not pose a direct danger to humans. Further, respondents on average agreed that red wolf reintroductions not only would benefit local ecosystems (indicated by an average score of 3.55), but help to recover and conserve the species overall (3.71). 

Public knowledge of red wolf ecology, as well as realistic awareness of human-wildlife conflict risks, is essential to cultivating coexistence in our shared landscapes. However, this is not all that drives human perception of wildlife relationships.

The emotions that arise when we view or engage with wildlife are deeply influential in whether we support or oppose their presence on natural landscapes, especially through human interventions like species reintroductions. Fortunately, it seems that the average person in the eastern United States holds a very positive view of red wolves. 

When asked about their first thought upon seeing an image of red wolves, many scored their feelings toward the species as neutral to positive (3.59) on a 5-point scale. This response follows a longstanding trend of the American public seeing native wildlife not as separate from themselves and their lives, but as valued neighbors.

Eliminating the Misconception of Public Opposition to Carnivore Reintroductions

Because wildlife agencies have historically prioritized the hunting and agriculture industries in their work [2], many officials and policymakers have focused on potential negative impacts of reintroduction when it comes to large carnivores like wolves. This has led to a pattern of over-emphasizing negative perspectives on wolf reintroduction, despite growing positive sentiments toward wildlife in general [3].

Bernd Blossey and Darragh Hare wrote in their 2022 paper, Myths, Wishful Thinking, and Accountability in Predator Conservation and Management in the United States: “[T]he loudest voices that tend to dominate lobbying efforts or social media campaigns are not necessarily representative majority opinions of citizens or residents.”  

Therefore, policy decisions based on assumptions of opposition are undemocratic and damaging to ecosystem health. However, ecology is not the only matter worthy of consideration in wolf conservation.

When well-meaning conservationists center coexistence in their outreach messaging, the subject tends to be couched in ecological benefits. Because of this, the cultural importance of wolves to communities across the nation can be forgotten or minimized. 

Research and cultural knowledge have repeatedly shown the importance of wolves to Indigenous communities, for example [4; 5]. Plus, the people of the US have broadly come to view wildlife in a “mutualistic” manner. This means that they see wildlife as part of their extended community, as opposed to merely “resources” for human use [3]. 

Ghasemi et al. (2025) found that support for reintroduction was tied to the perception of personal and societal risks as a result of wolves’ presence in eastern habitats. They suggested that engagement with these perspectives, and the emotional experiences that come with them, is essential to maintaining support for red wolf reintroduction. 

WCC’s Integrative Ecology and Coexistence lab is currently collaborating with the New Jersey Institute of Technology to develop innovative public education initiatives such as immersive virtual reality wolf education to achieve the suggestions laid out in Ghasemi et al. (2025). Additionally, the Wolf Conservation Center continues to lead in this work through our on-site and virtual programs, educating youth and adults on wolf ecology and their importance to our ecosystems and society as a whole. When people have realistic expectations of red wolves based on reliable scientific research, their communities are better prepared to welcome the critically endangered wolf back into its historical range. 

Looking Ahead

This Wolf Awareness Week, we celebrate the positive shift of public opinion in favor of wolves and their role in our nation’s ecosystems and society. This new study shows that the work of organizations such as the Wolf Conservation Center, supported by communities at home and abroad, plays a direct role in shaping wildlife-related attitudes that benefit both wolves and people. 

We welcome you to join us on this journey toward building a better future for wolves, the landscapes they shape, the people who care about them, and the people who live among them.

References

1. Ghasemi, B., Bruskotter, J. T., Vucetich, J. A., Elbroch, L. M., Wilson, R. S., Carter, N. H., Moehrenschlager, A., Perry, S., & Hinton, J. W. (2025). Restoring the wild east: Predicting public support for cougar and red wolf reintroduction in the eastern United States, Biological Conservation, 313(2026): 11532. 
2. Decker, D. J., Krueger, C. C., Baer, Jr., R. A., Knuth, B. A., & Richmond, M. E. (1996). From clients to stakeholders: A philosophical shift for fish and wildlife management. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 1(1): 70-82. 
3. Manfredo, M. J., Sullivan, L., Don Carlos, A. W., Dietsch, A. M., Teel, T. L., Bright, A. D., & Bruskotter, J. (2018). America’s wildlife values: The social context of wildlife management in the U.S. National report from the research project entitled “America’s Wildlife Values.” Fort Collins, CO: Colorado State University, Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources. 
4. Murphy, J. J., Shutt, A. C., Sène-Harper, A., & Hinton, J. W. (2025). Reconstructing the history and demise of the red wolf in Alabama: Insights from examining historical records and cultural perspectives. Stacks Journal: 25008. 

Fogg, B. R., Howe, N., & Pierotti, R. (2015). Relationships between Indigenous American peoples and wolves 1: Wolves as teachers and guides. Journal of Ethnobiology, 35(2): 262-285.