In what is being touted as a first for San Francisco's famous island prison, a coyote has been observed swimming to Alcatraz, captured on video by a tourist. The sighting, which occurred on Sunday, was initially met with skepticism by Aidan Moore, an Alcatraz City Cruises employee, until he was shown the footage of the determined canine making its way to the island's shore now a trending topic on social media.
The video, which has gone viral, depicts the coyote struggling to gain footing on the rocky terrain after swimming across the bay. Janet Kessler, a self-taught naturalist who has been documenting coyote behavior for nearly two decades, expressed her concerns to CBS News San Francisco, noting, "He's depleted. He is shivering. He is cold." Despite the coyote appearing worn out, Kessler is optimistic about its chances of survival, citing the island's ample food resources, including banana slugs and rodents.
Speculations about the coyote's origins and the motivation behind its surprising journey to Alcatraz have been varied. Christine Wilkinson, a conservation scientist and carnivore ecologist, suggested to SFGATE that the animal sought new territory, possibly originating from the Coit Tower pack, which inhabits an area with limited greenery. Wilkinson also noted the canine could have been forced to take an alternative route due to vehicle strikes, which are a leading cause of coyote mortality.
While the coyote's current status remains unclear, the island's lack of predators and available prey could create a favorable environment for survival. Moore highlighted it’s currently nesting season for the birds on Alcatraz, offering additional sustenance options. "It's one thing to see something like this with your own eyes, but to have a video record of it is pretty cool," Moore told SFGATE. Park rangers and employees continue their search for the elusive animal, with many wondering if this unprecedented event will lead to more sightings or if the coyote will venture back across the bay.
