Coyote who swam to Alcatraz Island went twice as far as previously thought

A coyote that gained national attention for swimming to Alcatraz Island in California actually swam twice as far as originally thought to the infamous landmark, surprising researchers tracking the wild animal. The male coyote's sudden appearance in January at the site of the former federal prison in San Francisco Bay stunned scientists and tourists, marking the first time a coyote has been spotted there since 1972. Experts previously believed it swam from San Francisco, just over a mile away. But new DNA evidence now points to Angel Island, two miles from Alcatraz, the National Park Service said on Monday. However, its current whereabouts remain a complete mystery. "We are surprised by the coyote's origin," National Park Service (NPS) wildlife ecologist Bill Merkle said in a news release. "Our working assumption was that the coyote made the swim from San Francisco because it is a significantly shorter distance." "We couldn't help being impressed by his accomplishment in making it to Alcatraz. Coyotes are known to be resilient and adaptable, and he certainly demonstrated those qualities." Video recorded by tourists in late January of the coyote swimming to shore through the cold, ch

May 6, 2026 → May 6, 2026