Denton (UNT), Texas (October 31, 2011) – Several pterodactyl sightings have been confirmed at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.
The pre-historic relatives of UNT’s beloved mascot Scrappy chose the campus because of its friendliness toward winged creatures and its status as a Tree Campus USA.
Early indications suggest a student stumbled upon an ancient nest of pterodactyl eggs uncovered at a construction site near Fry Street. The student then took the eggs to their off-campus apartment and placed them into a homemade incubator. Soon after, the eggs hatched and the pterodactyls escaped through an open window.
The pterodactyls were first sighted on campus early this morning, when University Spokesman Buddy Price spotted two of the winged creatures perched atop the Hurley Administration Building’s clock tower while walking to his office. Immediately following the sighting, UNT’s Loss Prevention Task Force was notified and the university’s robust dinosaur invasion plan was activated. 
Community members are encouraged to report any pterodactyl sightings to the UNT Facebook page or the UNT Twitter account (@UNTNews) immediately; please include pictures when possible.
The task force currently is working with the Texas Department of Dinosaur Relations to confirm the origin of the creatures and to implement a containment plan. It is believed that there are at least two distinct pterodactyls soaring above the 884-acre campus, and it is possible that there may be an even larger cell.
Luckily, in anticipation of such an invasion, UNT began installing advanced pterodactyl traps around campus last year. These traps take the form of large holes in parking lots, green spaces and sidewalks. They may appear rudimentary, but have proven to be highly effective against pterodactyls. The baited traps have motion sensors that, when triggered, trap the pterodactyls inside the hole; the traps are not lethal. Students are encouraged to stay away from these traps, as they may contain hungry pterodactyls.
The pterodactyls’ lack of opposable thumbs and fingers make it difficult for them to open doors, so members of the UNT community are encouraged to seek cover within the closest building in case of a sighting.
The task force has identified several “Pterodactyl Safer (because you can never be completely safe) Zones” around campus. These locations are denoted by placards on the doors, and include Willis Library and the UNT Student Union. These sites were designed with student safety in mind and include very few windows, which can serve as pterodactyl access points.
“We, as a university, have been planning for a pterodactyl invasion since we first opened our doors in 1890. Subsequently, we have been ranked as a top Pterodactyl Safer school byThe Dinosaur Safety Institute of Americafor 48 of the last 50 years,” said Price. “Not only are we confident that UNT will be able to bring a swift end to this invasion, we also are excited about the research opportunities that this rare event provides.”
Pterodactyl safety tips are included below. Members of the UNT community also are encouraged to check the UNT Facebook page and the UNT Twitter account (@UNTNews) for updates on the invasion and for additional safety tips.