Clever and furry bandits are outsmarting visitors at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park, located approximately 50 kilometers north of Prince Albert. Sonnet McGuire, the park manager, began receiving reports of missing shoes in early July. Campers and cottagers discovered individual shoes abandoned in bushes, on roadsides, and even at the boat launch, all taken by a group of crafty foxes with a penchant for footwear.
“We have five foxes roaming the campground, and they seem to have a knack for pilfering people’s shoes,” McGuire explained. While this behavior is not new, the foxes have been notably more active this year. McGuire mentioned that initially, the lost shoes were stored at the campground office, but due to the increasing number, outdoor storage bins had to be utilized to accommodate the growing collection of footwear.
McGuire estimated that around 70 shoes were in the bin on a recent day, with over 100 likely passing through this summer. Describing the situation as a scavenger hunt within the campground, McGuire recounted instances where foxes acted as lookouts while their accomplice snatched a shoe before fleeing together.
Campers like Brenda Andres have witnessed the foxes in action, emphasizing the need to keep shoes indoors during their stay. On the other hand, cottager Rachelle Kelln finds the foxes’ antics amusing, considering it a “fun game.” Despite the inconvenience caused by the stolen shoes, Kelln has encountered multiple pairs on her property and nearby roads, including valuable brands like Adidas Sambas, sparking a bit of panic among owners.
Visitors are now advised to safeguard their shoes indoors to prevent further thefts by the mischievous foxes.
