PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Most Florida residents are no strangers to wild animals, but residents living in some areas of western Palm Beach County say they are seeing an alarming rise in coyote sightings.
WPTV spoke to a couple who has had a few run-ins with several wild animals.
Greg and Diana Longhurst of The Acreage scrolled through comments on the Nextdoor app about a coyote sighting just miles from where they live.
"We have seen several postings of coyotes having been seen out in the area," Greg Longhurst said. "One of which was a really nice video of a coyote running at high speed along Crestwood Boulevard."
He said he wasn't phased by the sighting since they used to live in rural Loxahatchee Groves, which is about 8 miles from where the animal was spotted. Greg Longhurst said they saw wild animals regularly.
"What are some of the other animals you've captured on camera living out in Loxahatchee?" WPTV reporter Cassandra Garcia asked.
"Foxes, bobcats, otters, hawks," Greg Longhurst replied.
Diana Longhurst said they're not too worried that the coyotes will be a danger to them.
"Everybody is concerned about them. A lot of people are afraid of them, but I don't think they're going to harm you," Diana Longhurst said. "Maybe they attack your animals and your livestock."
The couple said they've never had a dangerous encounter with any coyotes on their old property.
"No, they run immediately," Diana Longhurst said.
This recent coyote sighting is one of many in a populated area and the Longhursts believe it won't be the last.