Coyote's Daring Alcatraz Swim: A Lone Survivor's Tale

A lone coyote has achieved a significant feat by swimming to Alcatraz Island, marking the first documented instance of such a presence since the island's transfer to the National Park Service in 1972. This resilient animal, initially observed struggling onto the rocky shore and appearing scrawny, has reportedly been surviving by foraging on birds, rats, mice, and slugs. Despite the island's small size, the coyote appears to be in healthy condition.

Wildlife experts suggest the young coyote, likely around a year old, may have undertaken the perilous swim due to intense competition for territory in its original San Francisco habitat. While rare, such long-distance swims by coyotes are not unheard of. Conservationists have voiced concerns about the coyote potentially preying on the island's substantial bird population.

In response, the National Park Service plans to trap and relocate the coyote to a natural, undeveloped area within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This action is intended to mitigate risks to nesting birds, with relocation planned before the seabird breeding season begins in the coming weeks. However, some experts caution that relocating a coyote accustomed to fierce competition could pose further survival challenges.