National Park Service Plans Removal of Coyote After Historic Swim to Alcatraz

A young coyote, nicknamed 'Floyd,' completed a documented swim across the San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz Island in late January 2026, marking the first confirmed instance of a coyote reaching the island since the National Park Service (NPS) assumed management in 1972. Video evidence from January 11 showed the animal paddling through the bay before collapsing on the southern shore rocks, visibly exhausted.

The coyote, estimated to be about one year old, was later photographed on January 24, suggesting initial survival despite the arduous journey, estimated at approximately 1.5 miles from the closest mainland point in San Francisco. Subsequent observations indicated the animal was sustaining itself by preying on the island's fauna, including birds and rodents, evidenced by paw prints, droppings, and bird carcasses found near the Agave Trail.

This presence introduces an ecological concern for the NPS, as Alcatraz serves as a critical sanctuary for nesting seabirds, notably the Western Gull and Brandt's Cormorant. The nesting season, which runs from February through September, requires heightened protection for these populations. The island hosts large nesting colonies; for instance, Brandt's Cormorants have previously reached counts of up to 2,000 pairs nesting there, and Western Gulls build over 500 nests annually.

Conservationists theorize the coyote may have been displaced from a mainland pack due to intraspecies population pressure. The NPS, in coordination with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, manages the 22-acre island to balance historical preservation with conservation. The agency noted that the island lacks running water, posing long-term survival challenges for the mammal, though initial reports suggested ample food sources.

By early February 2026, officials announced a management decision: if the coyote did not depart voluntarily, the NPS planned to humanely trap and remove the animal within a week. This action prioritizes the vulnerable bird colonies over the presence of a terrestrial predator. This situation draws comparison to a 2017 incident where a coyote reached Angel Island and subsequently established a pack of 14 members, setting a precedent for island colonization in the Bay Area.