PORT ARANSAS, Texas — People who live in Port Aransas say coyote sightings are becoming more frequent, especially in neighborhoods.
In fact, there have been sightings on the campus of a middle school.
T.J. Parker, a parent, says last week she had just dropped her daughter off when she saw a coyote on the campus of Brundrett Middle School.
"(I was) just coming through the loop and there was a coyote walking through the parking lot," Parker says.
Several weeks earlier, another coyote was spotted.
A student was walking to school early in the morning when a police officer saw it. The officer scared it off before it got too close to the student.
It's not unusual for coyotes to be spotted in Port Aransas, but the time of day these two were spotted was.
"Anybody who lives in Port Aransas has seen a coyote at night," said Port Aransas ISD Superintendent Sharon McKinney. "We just don't typically see them during the day."
A game warden with Texas Parks and Wildlife mentions when there are an unusual number of sightings it could be because the animals are looking for food, or there is a lot of new development in the area, pushing the animals out of their homes.
"They're getting really brave," Parker said. "I'm thinking with all the building, we're weighing and encroaching on their natural habitat."
The Port Aranasas Chief of Police says if you spot a coyote, the city's Animal Control Department can lay out traps to catch the animal. Residents are also advised not to leave any pet food or water outside. When coyotes find a food source, they'll keep coming back.
