A group of crafty and furry thieves are causing trouble for campers and vacationers at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park. Sonnet McGuire, the park manager situated around 50 kilometers north of Prince Albert, mentioned that reports of missing shoes started surfacing in early July. Visitors discovered lone shoes abandoned in bushes, along the road, and even at the boat launch area. The culprits behind these incidents are a pack of clever foxes, known as a skulk, who have developed a penchant for footwear.

McGuire explained that while this behavior isn’t new, the foxes have been unusually active this year. Initially, lost shoes were kept in the back of the campground office, but due to the escalating number of incidents, outdoor storage bins had to be acquired to accommodate the growing pile of stolen shoes. McGuire estimated that around 70 shoes were inside the bin on a recent day, with over 100 likely passing through during the summer.

Describing the situation as a campground scavenger hunt, McGuire shared an anecdote of witnesses spotting a fox acting as a lookout while another pilfered a shoe from a campsite. The stolen footwear, including Crocs, flip flops, runners, and Birkenstocks, were returned to the campground office for their owners to claim. Camper Brenda Andres recounted an encounter with the thieving foxes, reinforcing the need to keep shoes indoors while camping.

Cottager Rachelle Kelln, residing near Emma Lake, found amusement in the foxes’ antics, considering it a fun game. She discovered multiple shoes on her property and by the roadside, with valuable items like Adidas Sambas causing particular concern. Despite the inconvenience, visitors have shown excitement when reclaiming their shoes. McGuire advised park visitors to safeguard their shoes indoors, as the mischievous foxes continue to roam free, making off with unattended footwear.