Clever and furry thieves are causing mischief at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park by outsmarting campers and visitors. Sonnet McGuire, the park manager located approximately 50 kilometers north of Prince Albert, started receiving reports of missing shoes early in July. Visitors discovered lone shoes abandoned in bushes, along the roadside, and even at the boat launch area. The culprits behind these thefts are a group of cunning foxes, often referred to as a skulk, who have developed a penchant for footwear.
McGuire revealed that there are five foxes roaming the campground, actively engaging in the act of pilfering people’s shoes. While this behavior is not entirely new, the frequency of incidents has notably increased this year. The park initially stored the lost shoes inside the campground office but eventually had to upgrade to outdoor storage bins due to the sheer volume of shoes accumulating. McGuire estimated that around 70 shoes were in the bin on a recent day, with over 100 likely passing through during the summer.
Describing the situation as akin to a scavenger hunt within the campground, McGuire recounted instances where visitors would stumble upon their missing shoes while walking the trails. One amusing anecdote involved two foxes collaborating, with one acting as a lookout while the other snatched a shoe from a campsite before both fleeing the scene. Camper Brenda Andres also witnessed these mischievous foxes in action, reinforcing the need to keep shoes indoors during camping trips to prevent theft.
Cottager Rachelle Kelln expressed a lighthearted perspective on the situation, deeming it a “fun game.” Despite finding numerous shoes on her property and along the roadside, including pricey brands like Adidas Sambas, Kelln shared that people have eagerly retrieved their stolen shoes, relieved to be reunited with their footwear. McGuire advised park visitors to safeguard their shoes indoors, as the thieving foxes continue to roam free around the park.
