Towards Rehabilitation Smart Habitats: Designing for North American Opossum Joeys

Abstract

Wildlife rehabilitation involves caring for sick, injured, and orphaned non-domesticated native animals to re-release into the wild. While rehabilitators face similar hurdles as animal shelters such as limited funding and technology challenges, wildlife rehabilitation requires minimal human contact to ensure a successful reintroduction to the wild. However, the animals cared for require frequent monitoring and tending for health concerns. In this paper we document our process and design considerations for a smart habitat unique for the American opossum, a common intake at a local rehabilitation center, to limit human interaction while monitoring animal health. Our process includes interviews with volunteers and participatory observation, resulting in specifications of future design work for the American opossum.