That Coyote on Alcatraz Swam Twice as Far as Biologists Had Predicted

"“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,” National Park Service wildlife ecologist Bill Merkle said in a news release Monday titled “Alcatraz Coyote Wasn't a City Boy After All.”"

"“We have never, ever heard such a story of a coyote making such a long journey in a pretty challenging ocean current,” she said. “Biologists found fresh coyote tracks and scat, which they sent to UC Davis for DNA analysis. Officials were stunned to learn the swimmer was part of the coyote population on Angel Island.”"

"“He looked like a drowned rat when he ended up on the island, and when we saw him he looked healthy and so beautiful. He looked like he had been eating well,” she told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “The park service was prepared to capture and relocate the coyote because of Alcatraz's role as a seabird nesting habitat. But he has never again been spotted or caught on recording devices and there is no evidence the coyote is still on the island.”"

A lone coyote arrived on Alcatraz by swimming through swift, choppy waters, surprising wildlife experts. The National Park Service assumed the animal swam from San Francisco due to the shorter distance, but the journey was still considered remarkable. The coyote appeared healthy after arriving, with fresh tracks and scat collected for DNA analysis. DNA results showed the coyote belonged to the coyote population on Angel Island. Park officials prepared to capture and relocate it because Alcatraz supports seabird nesting habitat. The coyote has not been seen again or detected on recording devices, and there is no evidence it remains on the island.

Read at Kqed