Scientists and the National Park Service say a lone male coyote reached Alcatraz Island by swimming from nearby Angel Island rather than from mainland San Francisco. The coyote was spotted in January paddling across San Francisco Bay and then climbing onto the rocky island, a site known for swift, choppy waters that historically discouraged crossings. Initial estimates by biologists suggested the animal traveled a shorter distance, possibly from San Francisco, which is a little over one mile from Alcatraz.
Subsequent assessment indicates the coyote swam from Angel Island to Alcatraz, covering roughly two miles (about 3.2 kilometers). Multiple outlets report the swim was about twice as far as researchers expected. The discovery comes after footage captured the coyote in the bay and shows it moving onto the island. The findings clarify the likely origin of the animal’s journey and revise earlier assumptions about the route taken during the unusual episode.
