University Responding to Animal Sightings on Campus

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) officials are working with the local game warden to determine if recent possible sightings of a bobcat or mountain lion on campus can be verified.

TAMIU chief of police Fructuoso San Miguel said the campus is cooperating with the game warden and concentrating on campus safety.

“We are clearly committed to determining if the campus is indeed being visited by either of these animals.  We are also alerting all members of our campus community to maintain vigilance, avoid areas where wildlife is present and report sightings to our University Police. We’ve posted signs on campus and notified our community with messages via our portal and web site.  Campus residents have also been notified.

“The safety of our campus community of students, staff, faculty and guests is first and foremost and we will pursue the most appropriate action to best secure our campus’ safety,” San Miguel said.

He noted that the campus is home to a variety of wildlife and students and visitors are regularly cautioned to respect this.

“We routinely remind all students and campus visitors that our cherished campus is 300 acres of former ranchland that is also populated by animals typical of South Texas:  birds, javelina, snakes and white tail deer are common sights. We caution all that respect and distance are best practiced when sightings occur,” San Miguel concluded.

For additional information, contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 268.

Campus information is also available on line at tamiu.edu

University office hours are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu