Stealing Shoes Spree: Visitors Warned in National Park as Thief Makes Off with Over 30 Pairs of Footwear in Three Weeks, Leaving No Fox Unscathed
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming has been in the limelight this summer due to an unusual wildlife behaviour. A fox, or possibly a group of foxes, has been stealing shoes from campers and visitors, causing quite a stir and becoming a local curiosity.
The reasons behind this peculiar behaviour remain unclear. Park officials and visitors speculate that the fox might be using the shoes as toys, nesting materials, or simply out of curiosity or playfulness. Despite numerous investigations, the exact motivation remains unknown.
The impact of the fox's antics has been noticeable. Over 32 shoes have been stolen, sometimes just one, sometimes pairs. This has caused inconvenience and frustration among visitors who lose their footwear during their stay. The situation has attracted media and public attention, with signs humorously "wanting" the fox for "grand theft footwear" and giving it playful nicknames like "Sneaker Snatcher," "The Midnight Mismatcher," and "Swiper the Fox."
Interestingly, attempts to warn visitors seem to have backfired somewhat, with some people leaving their shoes out deliberately in hopes of witnessing the fox in action.
To prevent further thefts, rangers are encouraging visitors to store their shoes securely. This includes keeping them inside tents, vehicles, or in bear-proof boxes—metal containers designed to secure food and scented items from wildlife. Visitors are also advised to secure food, cosmetics, and other attractants as general wildlife safety practices.
The park's messaging aims to educate visitors in a lighthearted tone, discouraging interaction or habituation of the fox to humans. If visitors witness shoe thefts or find shoes missing, they are encouraged to report to park rangers so staff can track incidents and respond accordingly.
The National Park Service (NPS) is concerned about the fox getting too comfortable around humans, which could lead to relocation or euthanasia. A spokesperson for the NPS, Emily Davis, has commented on the situation. The NPS has not provided any updates on the ongoing efforts to educate visitors about the fox and discourage them from habituating it.
For more wildlife safety tips, visitors can check out the NPS's top tips for surprise animal encounters. It's crucial for campers and hikers to always store their shoes inside protective enclosures or tents to avoid becoming the fox's next "victim."
[1] National Park Service. (2025). Tips for Surprise Animal Encounters. [Online]. Available: https://www.nps.gov/grte/learn/nature/animalencounters.htm [2] Grand Teton National Park. (2025). Media Release: Shoe-Stealing Fox Update. [Online]. Available: https://www.nps.gov/grte/learn/news/shoestheftfoxupdate.htm [4] ABC News. (2025). Wyoming's Shoe-Stealing Fox Gains National Attention. [Online]. Available: https://www.abcnews.go.com/US/wyomings-shoe-stealing-fox-gains-national-attention/story?id=86973512
- As the shoe-stealing fox of Grand Teton National Park continues to make headlines, some social media users have started sharing tips on sustainable-living and reducing one's carbon footprint as an alternative form of entertainment, promoting the idea of reusing abandoned shoes instead of buying new ones.
- Meanwhile, home-and-garden enthusiasts have taken inspiration from the fox's knack for shoe-snatching, using it as a unique selling point for their lifestyle blog posts and YouTube videos on DIY storage solutions for protecting footwear from unexpected visitors.
- In the realm of pop-culture, late-night talk show hosts and comedians have seized the opportunity to joke about the fox's antics, weaving it into their monologues and sketches, thus bringing a touch of humor to the otherwise peculiar situation, making it a highlight in this summer's lifestyle and entertainment news.
