Since early July, campers at Lizard Creek Campground in Grand Teton National Park, WY, have awakened to missing sneakers, sandals, and boots. A shocking 32 pilfered shoes have been reported to date.
Who could this “Sneaker Snatcher” be, and why is he stealing shoes? Read on to find out.
How the shoe heist unfolded
The mystery began when lone shoes started vanishing from campsites. At first, park rangers chalked it up to human error. But as the tally climbed (19 missing by mid‑July) they realized a wildlife culprit was at work.
In a playful bid to raise awareness, officials hung “WANTED for Grand Theft Footwear” posters, complete with a sketch of a crafty fox dubbed “Swiper the Fox.”
What happened next surprised everyone. Campers who hoped to catch a glimpse of the thief began intentionally leaving shoes outside. The footwear heists surged to 32 shoes (and counting) as campers unwittingly encouraged the fox’s bold behavior.
The cunning culprit
Rangers have pinpointed a red fox (or possibly multiple foxes) as the perpetrator. But why shoes? Experts speculate the salty scent of human sweat makes the footwear enticing. Perhaps the fox treats them as playthings or nesting materials. After all, a discarded Kong dog toy once turned up in a nearby den.
Habituation
Despite the humor of a fashion‑forward fox, such behavior is troubling. It’s called habituation. Habituation is when wild animals grow too comfortable around people. This can lead to dangerous encounters, property damage or, worse, the need to relocate or euthanize the animal.
Why RVers should take note
As RVers, you rely on both comfort and responsible stewardship of the wilderness. Leaving shoes, food, or any scented items outside your rig invites curious critters into campsites. This not only puts your gear at risk; it also undermines the wild animal’s well‑being. What starts as lighthearted mischief can spiral into wildlife emergencies that affect park policies and visitor experiences for everyone.
Securing tips for a Grand Teton adventure
Here are some tips for protecting your belongings as well as Grand Teton’s wildlife:
Store footwear safely: Keep shoes inside your RV or vehicle when not in use. If bear boxes are available, use them for all gear, especially food, toiletries and footwear.
Minimize scent trails: Rinse sweaty shoes or dispel odors with a generous sprinkling of baking soda. Store footwear in sealed bags to reduce odors that attract wildlife.
“Scare, Don’t Stare”: If you spot the fox (or any wild animal), make noise (clap hands, bang a pot, blow a whistle) and then retreat. Never approach or feed the animal.
Report incidents promptly: Let campsite hosts or park rangers know about any wildlife encounters, so they can track behavior and safeguard both visitors and animals.
Keeping wildlife wild
Grand Teton’s natural wonders draw RVers from across the country. By taking these simple precautions, you help preserve the park’s delicate balance. After all, the last thing any camper wants is to become part of a fox’s fashion statement!
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RVT1218b
We are camp hosting at Stagecoach State Park in Colorado. We also have a shoe stealing fox.
Thank you, Gail, for sharing the news! Interesting that people leave their shoes outside. Doing so overnight never occurred to me. Are their RVs too crowded, or simply a way ro avoid tracking dirt, etc., inside? Hmm , … have a great day and safe travels!
In the rear of our diesel pusher there is what I would call a false floor under the raised floor. There is a space between the side of the bed and the floor with a view down to the subfloor where I can see furnace ducting and so forth. At the Thousand Trails San Benito campground there are many ground squirrels. On one trip there a particularly nosey and troublesome squirrel kept coming in somehow and through the bed gap. I would then open the screen door and encourage its quick departure. Then we found it had also come up through a wide space under the cabinet of drawers and deposited turds on clothing. Set a rat trap and got rid of the varmint.
I think Sasquatch needs a new pair of shoes! And is having trouble finding his size?
Not the first time I heard about this happening. We remove our shoes inside the door and put them on a shoe tray.