Alcatraz Island is shown in San Francisco on October 10, 2025. CTV
Earlier this year, a lone coyote astonished biologists when it made its way to Alcatraz Island, a former federal prison in San Francisco Bay. The island, surrounded by swift, choppy waters, is known for preventing even the most determined escape attempts by prisoners. The male coyote’s remarkable swim, initially thought to be from nearby San Francisco, turned out to be even more impressive.
Biologists originally believed the coyote swam from San Francisco, which is just over 1 mile (1.6 km) away from the island. However, they later discovered the coyote had actually swum a greater distance—2 miles (3.2 km) from Angel Island, a state park located further across the bay.
Biologists Impressed by the Coyote’s Resilience
National Park Service wildlife ecologist Bill Merkle, who was involved in tracking the coyote's journey, said, “We were initially impressed that the coyote made it to Alcatraz from San Francisco, but it turns out he swam from Angel Island, which is even farther. Coyotes are known to be resilient and adaptable, and this coyote certainly demonstrated those qualities.”
Camilla Fox, the founder of Project Coyote, believes the coyote's journey likely started in search of a mate or new territory. Though it’s uncommon, coyotes are known to swim, and Fox emphasized that this coyote’s journey was one of the most extraordinary of its kind.
Struggling but Healthy: A Surprise Visitor on Alcatraz
In early January 2026, video footage showed the coyote paddling across the chilly waters of the bay before struggling to get onto the rocky shore of Alcatraz Island. When a visitor named Rebecca Husson arrived on the island for a wedding in late January, she and her family were surprised to spot the coyote, looking healthy despite its rough journey.
Husson recalled, "He looked like a drowned rat when he ended up on the island, but when we saw him, he looked healthy and beautiful. He seemed to be eating well."
DNA Analysis and Unexpected Findings
Biologists discovered fresh coyote tracks and scat on the island, which they sent to the University of California, Davis, for DNA analysis. To their surprise, the results revealed that the coyote had come from Angel Island, not from San Francisco as initially thought.
The National Park Service had prepared to capture and relocate the coyote due to the island’s importance as a seabird nesting habitat. However, after a thorough search, the coyote was never spotted again, and no further evidence suggested that it remained on the island.
A History of Alcatraz Island and Angel Island
Alcatraz Island, once a federal prison housing the worst criminals in the country, closed in the 1960s due to its high operating costs. The island had been the site of 14 separate escape attempts, nearly all of which failed due to the treacherous currents. Alcatraz is now a park, and the coyote’s brief visit adds a unique chapter to its history.
Meanwhile, Angel Island, a state park that once served as a detention center for immigrants, has seen coyotes slowly colonize its land, despite challenges in doing so. With the arrival of spring, Fox urges visitors to be mindful of the coyote families and their dens, as it is currently pup season.
