Camilla Fox has had a lifelong interest in wild canines. Growing up, her family cared for an orphaned wolf pup, and her father focused on studying wild dogs and their habits.
The recent journey of the “Alcatraz Coyote” captivated her attention like never before.
“I’ve never come across a story of a coyote swimming such a distance in challenging ocean currents,” Fox, who is the founder and executive director of Project Coyote, shared in a recent interview with As It Happens.
Earlier this year, a male coyote swam across the San Francisco Bay to reach Alcatraz Island. Initially, biologists believed it had come from San Francisco, about 1.6 kilometers away, but later discovered it had actually started its voyage from Angel Island, a California state park, which was roughly double the distance.
Images and videos of the exhausted coyote emerged on January 24. Witnesses described it as resembling a soaked rat while struggling to climb onto the rocky shoreline of Alcatraz.
Although scientists confirmed the coyote’s successful arrival on the island, they remain uncertain about its motives for the journey.
However, Fox has her own theories.
“From a biological standpoint, it is probable that the animal was driven to leave the confines of an island in search of a mate and territory,” explained Fox, whose non-profit organization focuses on animal protection and education.
Coyotes are renowned for their resilience and adaptability. Fox expressed concern after witnessing the coyote’s condition post-swim, emphasizing that studying wild animals often leaves humans amazed.
“Similar to our pet dogs, they are inquisitive creatures,” she remarked. “The exact motivations behind that animal’s actions will remain a mystery.”
Protective haven for wildlife
Once the site of the notorious Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, the island was incorporated into the U.S. National Park Service in 1972 due to its distinctive ecosystem. It now serves as a conservation area for a wide array of seabirds and marine creatures.
Colorado State University wildlife ecology professor Joel Berger suggested that the coyote might have sought refuge on Alcatraz.
“They are driven out of their birth areas due to hostility, prompting them to seek new territories,” Berger explained.
In rural regions, coyotes can pose a threat to farmers by preying on their livestock, Berger noted. As they move into urban areas, concerns arise regarding potential attacks on people or pets, leading to culling of coyote populations in some