A lone coyote has stunned biologists after it was revealed that it swam a remarkable 2 miles to reach Alcatraz Island earlier this year, surpassing initial expectations. The resilient animal was first spotted in January, paddling through the treacherous waters of the San Francisco Bay, known for their swift and choppy currents that once thwarted prisoner escapes from the notorious federal prison.
Surprising Discovery
Initially, wildlife experts assumed the coyote had swum from San Francisco, a distance of just over 1 mile (1.6 km). However, DNA analysis of scat and tracks found on Alcatraz Island confirmed that the male coyote actually originated from Angel Island, located 2 miles away. Bill Merkle, a wildlife ecologist with the National Park Service, expressed admiration for the animal's achievement. "Our working assumption was that the coyote made the swim from San Francisco because it is a significantly shorter distance. We could not help being impressed by his accomplishment in making it to Alcatraz," he said in a news release titled 'Alcatraz Coyote Wasn’t a City Boy After All.'
Expert Insights
Camilla Fox, founder and executive director of the non-profit Project Coyote, noted that coyotes, like wolves, are capable swimmers, though it is extremely rare for humans to witness such feats. "We have never, ever heard such a story of a coyote making such a long journey in a pretty challenging ocean current," she said. Fox suggested the coyote likely departed its home base in search of a mate or new territory to defend.
Video Evidence and Sightings
Video footage from early January captured the coyote paddling in the chilly bay and struggling to climb onto the rocky island. A subsequent sighting on January 24 by Rebecca Husson, who was visiting for a cousin's wedding, provided additional evidence. "He looked like a drowned rat when he ended up on the island, and when we saw him he looked healthy and so beautiful. He looked like he had been eating well," Husson told the Associated Press.
DNA Analysis and Relocation Plans
Biologists collected fresh coyote tracks and scat, sending samples to the University of California, Davis, for DNA analysis. The results revealed that the swimmer belonged to the coyote population on Angel Island. The National Park Service had prepared to capture and relocate the animal due to Alcatraz's role as a seabird nesting habitat, but the coyote has not been seen or detected since, and there is no evidence it remains on the island.
Historical Context
Alcatraz Island served as a federal prison from the 1930s to the 1960s, housing the nation's most dangerous criminals. Its remote location and treacherous currents made escape nearly impossible, with 36 men attempting 14 separate escapes, most of whom were caught or perished. The island reopened as a park in 1973. Angel Island, meanwhile, was a state park that once functioned as a processing and detention center for Chinese and other immigrants, with some held for up to two years.
Conservation Message
Fox urged visitors to Alcatraz and other open spaces to be mindful of coyote families and their dens, especially during pup season. "It was not easy for coyotes to colonize Angel Island, but they persevered," she said, highlighting the resilience of these adaptable animals.
