Shoe-Stealing Foxes: 100+ Shoes Taken at Canadian Park

A group of five shoe-stealing foxes has turned a Saskatchewan campground into a footwear scavenger hunt, swiping more than 100 shoes from campers since early July. Staff at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park, about 50 km north of Prince Albert, say the behaviour is not new — but this summer the scale is unprecedented.

Park manager Sonnet McGuire told CBC News that reports of missing shoes began arriving in early July. The shoe-stealing foxes have made off with Crocs, flip-flops, runners, Birkenstocks and even pricey Adidas Sambas.

What Is Happening at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park?

The park's lost-and-found has grown to roughly 70 recovered shoes at a time in outdoor storage bins outside the campground office, with more than 100 shoes passing through this summer. Visitors have found single shoes discarded in bushes, on roadsides and at the boat launch, turning the mystery into what one local described as a "fun game."

Unlike the occasional wildlife encounters in Canadian parks that usually involve food theft, these shoe-stealing foxes seem to favour footwear over scraps.

Why Are Foxes Stealing Campers' Shoes?

Wildlife experts say the exact motivation of the shoe-stealing foxes remains unclear, but there are several leading explanations. Foxes have a strong sense of smell and may be drawn to the human scent embedded in shoes.

Possible Reasons Behind the Thefts

• Scent attraction: Sweat, leather and skin oils make shoes smell like people, which curious foxes may investigate.
• Play behaviour: Young foxes, in particular, explore their environment by carrying and hiding objects.
• Denning instinct: Foxes sometimes collect soft items, though footwear is an unusual choice.

Understanding human-wildlife conflict management helps park staff respond without harming the animals, McGuire said.

Do the Foxes Work Together?

Multiple witnesses describe coordinated behaviour among the shoe-stealing foxes. One camper reported seeing two foxes at a campsite: while one animal appeared to act as a lookout, the other slipped inside to grab a shoe. The pair then ran off together.

"We started finding more and more shoes," said cottager Rachelle Kelln, whose property near Emma Lake has become a drop-off point for the foxes' haul. "It's kind of a fun game." At least six shoes have been found on her land since early July.

How Campers Can Protect Their Shoes

Park staff expect the five shoe-stealing foxes to continue their search for footwear. Visitors are urged to keep shoes inside tents, trailers or vehicles rather than leaving them outside overnight.

1. Store shoes indoors, especially at night.
2. Avoid leaving footwear near campsite edges or trails.
3. Check the park's outdoor bins if a shoe goes missing.
4. Report sightings of fox pairs to campground staff.

These simple steps echo broader camping safety and wildlife tips for reducing human-animal conflict in popular parks.

FAQ: Shoe-Stealing Foxes in Saskatchewan

Where are the shoe-stealing foxes?

The five shoe-stealing foxes are at Great Blue Heron Provincial Park in Saskatchewan, Canada, about 50 km north of Prince Albert.

How many shoes have the foxes stolen?

More than 100 shoes have been stolen this summer, with roughly 70 recovered shoes held in bins at any one time.

Why do foxes steal shoes?

Experts believe the shoe-stealing foxes may be attracted to human scent or are engaging in playful, exploratory behaviour — though the exact reason is unclear.

Are the foxes dangerous?

No injuries have been reported. The animals appear more mischievous than aggressive, but visitors should keep a safe distance.

What should campers do with their shoes?

Keep shoes inside a tent, trailer or vehicle, and check the park's lost-and-found bins if footwear disappears.