Coyote swimming in Robinson's Hole.
Ralph and Cynthia DeFelice

Swimming Coyote Spotted Near the Elizabeth Islands

<p>Early Wednesday afternoon, Ralph and Cynthia DeFelice saw and photographed a coyote swimming between two of the Elizabeth islands.</p>

Early Wednesday afternoon, Ralph and Cynthia DeFelice saw and photographed a coyote swimming between two of the Elizabeth islands.

In an email to the Gazette, the DeFelices said they spotted the swimming coyote at around 1 p.m. in Robinson’s Hole, between Pasque and Naushon.

Edgartown wildlife expert Gus Ben David positively identified the image as a healthy coyote.

“That’s a beautiful example of a Canis latrans,” Mr. BenDavid said, using the scientific name for coyote, which in Latin means barking dog.

Mr. BenDavid said swimming coyotes are not an uncommon sight around the Elizabeth islands.

“We know they do that,” he said.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 06:26

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Dick Aquinnah

Why is there never a Carcharodan carcharias when you need them??

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 06:33

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Kirk DiRubio Cataumet, MA

Have seen deer swimming between the Elizabeth’s several times but never coyotes. That is really cool and must have been an exciting thing to witness. Truly beautiful experience.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 14:49

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R Scott Patterson Edgartown

It’s my understanding coyotes have been established on the Elizabeth’s for at least a decade, not sure why this is newsworthy.

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