Coyote Doggy-Paddles Through San Francisco Bay, Arrives at Alcatraz Island About Two Miles Away

A dogged coyote made a daring reverse escape in California by swimming through the choppy waters of San Francisco Bay to breach Alcatraz Island — once the site of a notorious federal prison that held America’s worst criminals.

Eggheads initially suspected the plucky pup came from the city of San Francisco, which is a little over one mile from the inescapable fortress turned tourist attraction. But they soon realized the coyote had doggy-paddled from Angel Island about two miles away, according to Associated Press.

“We couldn’t help being impressed by his accomplishment in making it to Alcatraz,” National Park Service wildlife ecologist Bill Merkle said in a University of California, Davis news release. “Coyotes are known to be resilient and adaptable, and he certainly demonstrated those qualities.”

Video footage from January captured the critter navigating the chilly waters and struggling to get onto the remote island. The coyote was later photographed and spotted by a visitor.

Scientists at University of California, Davis performed a DNA analysis on scat samples from the four-footed infiltrator to confirm he belonged to an Angel Island pack.

The park service was prepared to give the howler the boot to protect nesting seabirds, but the sly sneak seems to have slipped off on his own as he was never again observed on The Rock.

From 1934 to 1963, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was the inhospitable home of infamous lawbreakers, including Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly. According to the FBI, 36 men attempted 14 separate escapes — but nearly all were caught or didn’t survive.