CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Irish actor Pierce Brosnan, 70, is being required to pay several fines after wandering into a prohibited thermal region at Yellowstone National Park in early November.
Brosnan was fined $500 and was required to pay a $1,000 community service payment to the Yellowstone Forever Geological Fund, a $30 court processing fee and a $10 special assessment. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick imposed the sentence on Mar. 14 in Mammoth.
Brosnan, who is widely recognized for playing the character James Bond in the 1990s and early 2000s, pleaded guilty to foot travel in a thermal area. According to court documents, Brosnan uploaded pictures to his Instagram page of himself standing on a Yellowstone National Park thermal feature at Mammoth Hot Springs on or about Nov. 1. There are signs posted around the area warning visitors of the dangers of thermal features. The signs state that visitors must remain on the designated boardwalks and trails.
The United States Attorney’s Office asked the court to sentence Brosnan to two years’ probation and the maximum fine of $5,000.
The National Park Service reminds Yellowstone visitors that the ground in thermal areas is fragile and thin, and scalding water is just below the surface. Therefore, trespassing on thermal features is dangerous and can harm delicate natural resources within the park. Additionally, the park was established primarily to protect these hydrothermal areas. The NPS encourages visitors to exercise extreme caution around thermal features by staying on boardwalks and trails.
The NPS also urges people to protect themselves and the fragile environment by taking the Yellowstone Pledge: act responsibly and safely and set a good example for others. Anyone who sees another person act in a way that might hurt them, others or the park should alert a ranger.
For additional information related to Yellowstone National Park, contact the Public Affairs Office at 307-344-2015 or [email protected].
This case was investigated by the National Park Service and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes.