Clever and furry bandits are outsmarting vacationers and cabin owners at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park. Sonnet McGuire, the park’s manager located approximately 50 kilometers north of Prince Albert, has been receiving reports since early July about disappearing shoes. Park visitors have been discovering lone shoes abandoned in bushes, on the roadside, and even at the boat dock. The culprits behind these incidents are a group of crafty foxes, also known as a skulk, who have developed a penchant for footwear. According to McGuire, the park is currently frequented by five foxes that have taken a liking to pilfering people’s shoes.
Although the behavior is not new, this year has seen an increase in the foxes’ thievery. McGuire mentioned that while they were aware it was the foxes responsible, the scale of the incidents this year is unprecedented. Initially, lost shoes were stored at the back of the campground office, but due to the sheer volume, outdoor storage bins had to be employed to accommodate the growing collection. McGuire estimated that on a recent day, there were around 70 shoes in the bin, with over 100 likely passing through during the summer.
She described the situation as resembling a scavenger hunt within the campground, with shoes being discovered as visitors explore the area. One incident involved observers spotting a fox acting as a lookout while its companion ventured into a campsite, snatched a shoe, and both made a swift getaway. Campers like Brenda Andres have witnessed these furry culprits in action, leading her to opt for storing her shoes indoors during her camping stay.
Cottager Rachelle Kelln has taken a more lighthearted approach to the situation, dubbing it a “fun game.” Despite finding multiple shoes on her property and roadside since mid-July, including high-end brands like Adidas Sambas, Kelln has had several individuals reclaim their shoes with excitement. McGuire advises park visitors to keep their shoes indoors as the mischievous foxes continue their thieving spree, with no signs of slowing down.
