A lone coyote that swam more than a mile across the San Francisco Bay to Alcatraz Island is being monitored by scientists and could be moved if its presence threatens birds on the infamous Californian island.
The canine, called Floyd, appears to be thriving on The Rock - renowned for its abandoned prison - and getting by on an avian diet.
Whether Floyd can stay on Alcatraz 'depends entirely on how it behaves', says Aidan Moore, a local tour guide who shared footage of the coyote's journey.
Complicating matters, he adds, is that there are no fresh water sources, which could make the animal's welfare dependent on human intervention.
Video footage of Floyd - believed to be a male - hopping onto Alcatraz's rocks was captured by a tourist and shared with Moore. The gaunt coyote appeared to be shivering from the bay water which is about 10C (50F). But he has plumped up since, says Moore.
On Saturday, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) observed and photographed the coyote, confirming it was the same one seen swimming to the island nearly two weeks earlier. This coyote is the first documented presence on Alcatraz since it was transferred to the National Park Service in 1972.
Park biologists and staff are actively monitoring the coyote to better understand how it is surviving and to assess potential impacts on the seabird breeding colony.
Floyd has to be able to catch enough birds to sustain his dietary needs, and nearby Angel Island is home to a healthy population of coyotes thriving due to existing prey and fresh water.
Local experts have speculated Floyd's swim may have been driven by territorial pressures, as urban areas become increasingly crowded for wildlife.
While he adapts to his surroundings, the coyote's future remains uncertain. Project Coyote expresses concerns for both Floyd and visiting tourists, urging care in how humans interact with the animal.
As sightings and evidence of Floyd's presence continue, his behavior will determine if he can remain on Alcatraz or if he seeks to swim back to the mainland in search of a more sustainable habitat.
