A group of cunning and furry thieves are causing mischief at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park, outsmarting campers and cottagers. Sonnet McGuire, the park manager located approximately 50 kilometers north of Prince Albert, started receiving reports of missing shoes in early July. Visitors discovered individual shoes left in various places such as bushes, along the road, and even at the boat launch area. The culprits behind these pilfered shoes are a group of sly foxes known as a skulk, who have developed a liking for collecting footwear.
McGuire mentioned that the behavior of the foxes is not entirely new to the park, but this year, they have been more active than usual. Initially, the lost shoes were stored in the campground office, but due to the increasing number of stolen shoes, outdoor storage bins had to be utilized to accommodate them. McGuire estimated that around 70 shoes were in the bin on a recent day, with over 100 likely passing through it during the summer. This situation has turned into a sort of scavenger hunt within the campground as people stumble upon lost shoes in unexpected places.
One incident involved witnesses seeing a fox acting as a lookout while another fox ventured into a campsite, snatched a shoe, and both foxes fled the scene. Camper Brenda Andres shared her encounter with the fox thieves, witnessing one carrying a shoe in its mouth. She emphasized the need to keep shoes indoors during camping trips to prevent theft.
Meanwhile, cottager Rachelle Kelln viewed the situation as a playful game, finding amusement in the foxes’ antics. Living near Emma Lake, her property has become a frequent target for the shoe-stealing foxes, with numerous shoes being left behind. Various types of shoes, including flip flops, Birkenstocks, and even Adidas Sambas, have been discovered. Kelln highlighted the panic surrounding expensive shoes like Adidas Sambas. Despite the inconvenience, she mentioned that those who retrieved their stolen shoes were thrilled to have them back.
Visitors to the park are urged to store their shoes indoors as the mischievous foxes continue their thieving ways, keeping the campground in a lighthearted state of excitement.
