Coyote Swims to Alcatraz Island in Search of New Home

The coyote is the first documented on the island since it was transferred to the National Park Service in 1972.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 6:07pm

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A coyote has been spotted on Alcatraz Island after swimming more than a mile across the frigid San Francisco Bay. It is the first documented coyote presence on the island since it was transferred to the National Park Service in 1972. The coyote, likely around a year old, appears to be thriving on the island's limited resources, but conservationists are concerned it could prey on the island's 35,000 birds.

Why it matters

The coyote's swim to Alcatraz highlights the resourcefulness and adaptability of urban coyotes, which have become a common sight in San Francisco. However, its presence on the small island raises concerns about the impact on the island's protected bird population.

The details

The coyote was spotted struggling onto the rocky shore of Alcatraz this month, sparking concern for its survival. However, it appears to be thriving, likely feeding on birds, rats, mice, and slugs. While Alcatraz has plenty of food, the small 22-acre island is a fraction of the size of a coyote's usual territory, and experts say it won't be able to sustain the animal for long.

  • The coyote swam to Alcatraz earlier this month.
  • The water temperature in San Francisco Bay at the time was likely in the low 50s Fahrenheit.

The players

Janet Kessler

A self-taught advocate for San Francisco's coyotes, known as "the Coyote Lady".

Christopher Schell

An assistant professor and urban ecologist who studies city-dwelling carnivores at the University of California, Berkeley.

Elizabeth Peace

A spokeswoman for the National Park Service, which manages Alcatraz Island.

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What they’re saying

“You have to admire the survival instincts of this little fellow.”

— Janet Kessler, Self-taught advocate for San Francisco's coyotes

“That animal decided that it was probably easier to swim to Alcatraz than to stay and figure out where their small plot of land would be.”

— Christopher Schell, Assistant professor and urban ecologist

“If you take a coyote that left the San Francisco area because competition was so stiff to begin with, and you place that animal right back into the fray, they're going to try to escape again.”

— Christopher Schell, Assistant professor and urban ecologist

What’s next

The National Park Service plans to trap and relocate the coyote before seabird breeding season begins in the next few weeks, as its presence on the island 'poses a significant risk to nesting birds'.

The takeaway

The coyote's swim to Alcatraz Island highlights the remarkable adaptability and resourcefulness of urban coyotes, which have become a common sight in San Francisco. However, its presence on the small island raises concerns about the potential impact on the island's protected bird population.