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Coyote's Alcatraz swim longer than initially believed
A coyote that startled scientists and visitors by reaching Alcatraz Island in January actually swam nearly two miles-double the originally assumed distance-according to new DNA evidence released by the National Park Service (NPS).
Discovery and initial assumptions
The male coyote appeared on Alcatraz in late January, marking the first sighting of the species on the island since 1972. Researchers initially assumed the animal had swum from San Francisco, just over a mile away, given the shorter distance.
Tourist footage captured the coyote emerging from the bay's cold, rough waters, sparking widespread surprise. Some nicknamed the animal "Floyd," a nod to the getaway driver in the film Bonnie and Clyde.
DNA evidence reveals true origin
NPS officials set up camera traps and audio recorders to monitor the coyote, concerned it might threaten native seabirds. They also collected tracks and scat for analysis at the University of California, Davis.
The results revealed the coyote belonged to a population on Angel Island State Park, located two miles from Alcatraz. The finding contradicted earlier assumptions and highlighted the animal's endurance.
"We are surprised by the coyote's origin. Our working assumption was that the coyote made the swim from San Francisco because it is a significantly shorter distance."
Bill Merkle, NPS wildlife ecologist
Coyote's fate remains unknown
Despite extensive monitoring, the coyote vanished after its initial appearance. Researchers no longer believe it remains on Alcatraz but cannot confirm its whereabouts.
"We don't know what happened to the coyote. But he proved himself an expert swimmer to get to Alcatraz, and I hope he made a successful swim back home to Angel Island."
Bill Merkle
Background on coyotes and Alcatraz
Coyotes, native to much of the U.S., are known for their adaptability and resilience. They frequently inhabit urban areas, including San Francisco's parks and neighborhoods.
Alcatraz, nicknamed "the Rock," was once a maximum-security federal prison housing notorious criminals. The island has been featured in films like Escape from Alcatraz (1979) and The Rock (1996).
In April, the Trump administration proposed reopening Alcatraz as a high-security prison, requesting $152 million in funding for the first year of reconstruction.
Distinct coyote populations in the Bay Area
The NPS noted that three separate coyote populations exist in the San Francisco Bay Area, each genetically distinct. The Alcatraz visitor's origin from Angel Island underscores the species' ability to traverse significant distances.
