DNA Evidence Shows Coyote Swam from Angel Island to Alcatraz

A coyote that reached Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay in January swam from Angel Island, according to DNA evidence analyzed by researchers. The National Park Service announced on Monday that the animal's scat matched a population on Angel Island, located two miles from Alcatraz.

This updates earlier assumptions that the coyote swam a shorter distance from San Francisco, which is just over one mile away. The male coyote was first spotted by tourists, who recorded video of it swimming through the bay's waters. Officials set up camera traps and audio devices to monitor it, citing concerns about potential impact on native seabirds.

Analysis of tracks and scat at a laboratory confirmed its origin, marking the first coyote presence on the island since 1972. National Park Service wildlife ecologist Bill Merkle stated in a news release that the origin was unexpected, as the shorter distance from San Francisco had been the working assumption.

He added that coyotes are resilient and adaptable, as demonstrated by this event. Despite monitoring efforts, the coyote has not been detected since the initial sighting and is believed to no longer be on the island.

Alcatraz Island, known as the site of a former federal prison, housed inmates until its closure. The island is now managed by the National Park Service and attracts visitors. Coyotes are common in the San Francisco Bay Area, with three distinct populations identified in the region.

In April, the Trump administration proposed allocating $152 million to rebuild Alcatraz as a secure prison facility for high-risk convicts. The budget request covers the first year of costs for the project. The proposal aims to reopen the site, which has been featured in films such as Birdman of Alcatraz, Escape from Alcatraz, and The Rock.