Yeah, the article was pretty confusingly written.

When they explained why it hadn't been found, the quote was "I suspect the coyote was swept away...", but then later in the article it seemed clear the 'swept away' was in reference to the SF->Alcatraz journey, given the prevailing currents reported by the boat captain.

But then later in the article they re-stated the idea that it had been swept away _off_ the island, which doesn't really make sense given the currents.