YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — A tourist from China has been fined $1,000 for walking off the boardwalk in the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone National Park and collecting thermal water.
Park officials say a witness reported seeing the man break through the travertine crust surrounding the hot springs on Tuesday and took photos that were turned over to park rangers.
Rangers found the man, who admitted he did not read the safety information given to him when he entered the park. Park regulations require visitors to stay on trails and boardwalks for their safety as well as to protect the natural resources. It is a violation of federal regulations to collect any park resources.
Park officials did not release the man's name.
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