Park rangers, biologists and San Francisco tourists are breathing a sigh of relief after an extraordinary coyote was found safe and sound. In fact, he looks like he’s thriving!
The adventurous coyote, affectionately nicknamed “Floyd,” was first seen swimming toward Alcatraz on January 11. On shaky legs it crawled to the rocky shore, took a moment to catch its breath, and then disappeared among the rocks and bushes. After weeks of questions and concerns, Floyd was discovered again, and this time, scientists were watching him more closely.
It’s great to hear that this adventurous coyote is doing well in his new home. While the thought of him sailing more than a mile through the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay (assuming he’s from the city’s mainland) is impressive, his thin and shaky appearance understandably worried everyone. But now, just weeks later, he no longer appears healthy.
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“This marks the first documented sighting of a coyote on Alcatraz since it was handed over to the National Park Service in 1972,” NBC Bay Area News anchor Gia Vang explained. Considering no sightings of the animal have been tracked before, this could mean Floyd is the first coyote on the island. once.
“If Coyote can make it, I know those prisoners escaped and are still alive,” admitted commenter @rodrigo_893. It is indeed possible! In 1962, three men escaped from Alcatraz’s high-security prison and may have swam to safety, never to be seen again.
Other viewers were less impressed and more worried about the future of the San Francisco coyotes on the island. @Nickeebrown13 asked: “They don’t have a source of fresh water though, so what does he drink?”
What’s next for Alcatraz Coyote?
Others, like tour guide Aidan Moore, who was the first to see video of coyotes swimming onto the island, have the same concerns. He said the coyote’s future on the island “all depends on how it behaves” and whether it needs human intervention to survive.
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) is closely monitoring the wild animal and its health, but its fate remains uncertain. Currently, he still roams Alcatraz, and very lucky visitors may be able to catch a glimpse of him.
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This article was originally published by PetHelpful on February 2, 2026 and first appeared in the Pet News section. Click here to add PetHelpful as your preferred source.
