Mammoth, Wyo. — Actor Pierce Brosnan, who admitted to straying from a designated trail in a thermal region during a trip to Yellowstone National Park in November, was apprehended after sharing photos online, court documents revealed.
Brosnan, who participated in the court hearing in Mammoth, Wyoming via phone, was fined $500 and instructed to donate $1,000 to Yellowstone Forever, a non-profit organization that aids the park, by April 1, according to court records. Prosecutors had suggested a $5,000 fine and a two-year probationary term.
A second minor offense, related to breaching closures and usage restrictions, was dismissed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick.
The actor released a statement of apology on his Instagram account on Thursday, acknowledging that he "acted impulsively" and identifying himself as an environmentalist who holds "the utmost respect and love for our natural world."
"I deeply regret my mistake and extend my sincere apologies to everyone for trespassing in this delicate area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks should be nurtured and safeguarded for everyone to appreciate," Brosnan expressed.
He mentioned that he did not notice a "no trespassing" sign upon entering the thermal region to capture a photo and did not wander in the immediate vicinity, as stated in his message.
Brosnan concluded the post with "#StayOnThePath."
Brosnan, 70, ventured into a restricted area at Mammoth Terraces, located in the northern part of Yellowstone near the Wyoming-Montana line, on Nov. 1, as per citations issued by the park. He was at the park for a personal visit and not for film work, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office for Wyoming.
Despite this, he shared photos of himself standing in the snow on the thermal feature on his Instagram page, according to court records.
Mammoth Terraces is a picturesque area with mineral-encrusted hot springs bubbling from a hillside. These are just a few of the park's numerous thermal features, ranging from spouting geysers to gurgling mud pots, with water at or near boiling temperatures.
Straying into off-limits areas like these can be hazardous, as some of the millions of visitors to Yellowstone each year end up with severe burns by disregarding warning signs to stay on designated paths.
Trespassing in such areas can also lead to legal consequences, including jail time, substantial fines, and bans from the park being imposed on violators regularly.
Brosnan is renowned for his appearances in four James Bond films, his role in the 1980s TV series "Remington Steele," as well as starring in movies like "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "The Thomas Crown Affair."
