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Coyote Swims 3km to Alcatraz Island, Outperforming Expectations

From Hankyoreh · (6m ago) Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A coyote was filmed swimming across San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz Island in January, an event that garnered significant attention.
  • Recent DNA analysis suggests the coyote traveled a much greater distance than initially estimated, likely from Angel Island National Park, approximately 3.2 km away.
  • Park officials are tracking the coyote, which has not been seen for months, with plans to relocate it to a more suitable habitat, though its current whereabouts remain unknown.

The remarkable journey of a coyote to Alcatraz Island has captivated observers and sparked scientific curiosity. Initially believed to have swum from the San Francisco mainland, approximately 1.6 km away, new genetic evidence points to a far more ambitious voyage. The U.S. National Park Service revealed that DNA analysis indicates the coyote likely originated from the Angel Island National Park population, a distance of about 3.2 km across the bay.

We were surprised by the coyote's starting point and couldn't believe it. We assumed it came from much closer, from the San Francisco Bay.

— Bill MerkleNational Park Service researcher, expressing surprise at the DNA findings regarding the coyote's origin.

This discovery challenges previous assumptions and highlights the incredible adaptability and resilience of these animals. Alcatraz Island, a former federal penitentiary and now a national park, is an unusual habitat for a coyote, especially one undertaking such a challenging swim. The fact that the coyote successfully navigated the bay's strong currents and waves underscores its remarkable survival instincts.

While the coyote's initial appearance on Alcatraz in January was documented by visitors, its presence has since become a subject of intense monitoring. Park biologists have been actively searching for signs of the animal, collecting footprints and scat, and installing monitoring equipment. The goal is to understand its behavior and ensure its safety, particularly given that Alcatraz is a breeding ground for seabirds.

Coyotes are known for their resilience and adaptability, and this individual clearly demonstrates those traits.

— Bill MerkleNational Park Service researcher, commenting on the coyote's remarkable abilities.

The current whereabouts of the coyote remain a mystery, as it has not been sighted for several months. Researchers are considering the possibility that it may have successfully returned to Angel Island, given its apparent strong swimming capabilities. The National Park Service plans to safely capture and relocate the animal to a more appropriate habitat within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area if found, but for now, its fate is uncertain.

We don't know what happened to the coyote. Given its excellent swimming skills to reach Alcatraz, it's possible it swam back safely to Angel Island National Park.

— Bill MerkleNational Park Service researcher, discussing the uncertainty surrounding the coyote's current status.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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