Male coyote swam 2 miles to Alcatraz Island, twice as far as biologists had expected

This article was written by The Associated Press. The Mendocino Voice and The Associated Press partner to bring relevant fact-based and nonpartisan news and information to Mendocino County readers through the AP Fund for Journalism. Learn more about the program here.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA., 5/6/26 — A lone coyote stunned biologists and others when it paddled its way to remote Alcatraz Island earlier this year, a former federal prison in the San Francisco Bay surrounded by swift, choppy waters notorious for thwarting prisoners’ escapes.