Coyotes have established a territory on Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay. Despite the overwhelming success they’ve enjoyed there over nearly a decade now, state parks officials shared the thrilling news, which includes the picturesque yet gritty island’s new thriving population of the adaptable mammal. Based on past estimates and upcoming research, 14 to 17 coyotes inhabit the area in 2024. The 2017 arrival of a new breeding pair initiated phenomenal recovery. They have inexorably filled a new mammalian predator niche on the island.
The coyote population on Angel Island is made up of about one-third females. In recent decades, these species have spread, moving south into Marin County and even into the city of San Francisco itself. Park staff have documented these coyotes making some very bold exploratory moves like swimming across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Recently, park staffers traveling by boat witnessed a remarkable sight: a coyote swimming in Raccoon Strait, approximately a quarter mile from shore. The mysterious creature breached the surface while navigating the deep, narrow waterway that separates Angel Island from the Marin County mainland. This adventurous coyote probably swam at least a mile against a considerable current. It successfully traveled from Tiburon to Angel Island!
Rare sightings of coyotes swimming across the channel have sometimes been reported by ferry workers and park staff. Of all of these recent occurrences, this one has everyone up in arms. Researchers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) have been monitoring this unusual event closely on Angel Island.
Wildlife biologist Brett Furnas explained what was going on with the coyotes. Most importantly, it’s not a stretch that they might just accidentally get swept over to Angel Island, or even purposely make that journey.
Those sightings of coyotes all around the Bay Area piqued the imagination of wildlife experts. These animals embrace their urban surroundings and expand into uncharted environments. They demonstrate their impressive skills to flourish in various climates. The parks will continue tracking the coyotes’ behavior, their influence on the state’s overall ecosystem, and more, to ensure the safety of the community.