A male coyote stunned biologists by swimming 2 miles to Alcatraz Island earlier this year, a journey twice as far as initially believed. DNA analysis confirmed the coyote originated from Angel Island, not San Francisco, as first assumed.
Initial Assumptions and Discovery
Biologists initially guessed the coyote swam from San Francisco, about 1 mile away, but DNA evidence revealed it came from Angel Island, 2 miles away. The coyote was first spotted in early January, with video showing it paddling through the chilly San Francisco Bay and struggling to climb onto the rocky island. A visitor sighting and photograph on January 24 confirmed its presence.
Biologists' Reactions
National Park Service wildlife ecologist Bill Merkle expressed admiration for the coyote's resilience and adaptability. "Coyotes are known to be resilient and adaptable, and he certainly demonstrated those qualities," Merkle said in a news release titled "Alcatraz Coyote Wasn’t a City Boy After All."
Possible Motivations
Camilla Fox, founder of Project Coyote, suggested the coyote may have been searching for a mate or new territory. She noted that while coyotes can swim, it is rare to witness such a long journey in challenging ocean currents. "We have never, ever heard such a story of a coyote making such a long journey in a pretty challenging ocean current," Fox said.
Biological Evidence and Relocation Plans
Biologists found fresh coyote tracks and scat on Alcatraz, which were sent to the University of California, Davis, for DNA analysis. The park service was prepared to capture and relocate the coyote due to Alcatraz's role as a seabird nesting habitat. However, the coyote has not been spotted or caught on recording devices since its initial sightings, and there is no evidence of its continued presence on the island.