Welcoming Urban Coyotes

Henry Harkins
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Welcoming Urban Coyotes: an installation that allows humans and coyotes to interact more naturally. The habitat features a two-sided window which allows coyotes to live a natural life while humans secretly spectate. 

In the Boston area, coyotes are a rare sight specifically in urban areas. Coyotes habitat is a den that is not accessible to humans. The animals purposely create their homes away from human contact. The original coyote separated its day into four parts, the animal would sleep for six hours and then hunt for six hours on a repetitive cycle.  This cycle was disrupted over time for urban coyotes because of human interaction. Another goal is to have urban eastern coyotes to transition back to their original sleep schedule because the animals would have a more natural habitat.

 The project presents a two-sided window where humans can look in but coyotes can't see out. It is a natural zoo habitat. Traditionally, coyotes create dens with brush and thorns that are unappealing to humans. The project provides a safer way for humans to appreciate and acknowledge such an interesting animal.