Grand Teton National Park is warning campers to store their footwear in their tents after a wild fox stole 32 total shoes from unaware visitors.
Reports started a few weeks ago and the park responded by posting signs asking campers to be careful with their shoes after 19 had gone missing. It’s not exactly clear what the fox is doing with the shoes. It could be using them as toys or as nesting material collections.
While foxes stealing shoes may seem like harmless, cute behavior, the more time the fox spends around humans the more dangerous things will get for the fox. Even leaving shoes out “just in case he visits” will teach wildlife that people create opportunities. If the fox starts approaching people too frequently, it may need to be relocated or worse.
Make sure to store shoes, food, and scented items appropriately and never attempt to bait wildlife with belongings. If a fox does show up, make noise and encourage it to move away. Keep wild animals wild.
