[Reprinted from original]

MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (WCBD) – News 2 received an unexpected visitor around lunchtime Wednesday when a coyote appeared on the station’s front steps.

A station receptionist said the coyote bumped his head a few times as it tried to come inside the building.

News 2 management quickly called Animal Control to report the animal.

Coyote sightings have become common east of the Cooper in recent years due to heavy development.

Seven of them were caught on camera roaming around Sullivan’s Island in September of 2016, with even more recent sighting throughout Mount Pleasant and on the Isle of Palms.

In fact, earlier this year Isle of Palms leaders held a ‘coyote expo’ to provide information about coyote management strategies, options and resources for trapping them on private property.

According to the website Coyotesmarts.org, Coyotes are most frequently seen and heard during mating season which is January-March, and when juveniles leave the family pack in September-November.

Experts say coyotes are naturally timid animals and will typically flee at the sight of a human. If you see one, do not approach it. You should either leave the area or call animal control.