A mystery is afoot in Grand Teton National Park, and the perpetrator is a fox. The canine has been allegedly stealing shoes from Lizard Creek Campground. Foxes, of course, are known for being sly, but up until now, their adoration for footwear was undiscovered.
At least 32 shoes have been reported missing so far. Officials have responded by installing posters around the park, warning the public to hide their shoes. In one sign, a sketch of a fox is depicted with a shoe in its mouth, with the words, “Wanted For Grand Theft Footwear” appearing across the top.”
Another sign keeps track of the days since the last fox/shoe incident.
AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_an2adkalhb5fiv5vddbH1_ iframe AdvertisementAdvertisement#_R_in2adkalhb5fiv5vddbH1_ iframeUnfortunately, the signs had the opposite of the intended effect. Many campers began leaving their shoes out intentionally, hoping to catch sight of the furry bandit.
In a recent post, the Park had fun with the situation but ultimately asked visitors to cease this behavior, warning that the animal was becoming habituated, which can lead to the loss of its instinctual fear of humans. According to the post, “this can lead to relocation…or worse.”
In the text accompanying the post, officials encouraged visitors to “Scare, don’t stare. If a fox shows up, make noise and encourage it to move along. Wild animals need to stay wild.”
Park official Emily Davis told SF Gate over email that there wasn’t a clear explanation for the fox’s behavior. “The fox may be attracted to the scent or taste of shoes, or it could be treating them like toys,” she explained. The park’s Instagram post also speculates that the creature might be using the shoes as nesting material.
Grand Teton National Park is full of wildlifeWhatever the reason, one thing is clear: the more time this fox spends around humans, the more dangerous things get for the fox.
Enjoy the wild beauty of Grand Teton National Park, but be sure to store your shoes somewhere safe.
Yahoo CreatorTamara GaneTamara Gane is based in Reno/Lake Tahoe. She takes dozens of trips a year and shares the best destinations, accommodations, experiences, and travel gear with her readers. FollowFollow
