Chinese Tourist Fined $1000 At Yellowstone National Park

At Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park, a Chinese tourist was fined $1,000 after being caught walking outside the designated boardwalk.

The tourist was seen “walking along terrace formations near hot springs and collecting water from the thermal runoff” according to TIME and the National Parks Traveler. “He was also seen breaking through the fragile terrace crust of travertine,a sedimentary form of limestone formed as thermal water rises through limestone to deposit calcium carbonate over a long period of time.”

The National Parks Traveler reported that a Park Ranger “took the witnesses’ statement, photos, and location of the violation.” While the man has not been named, the law enforcement officials have identified the traveler.

The man was issued a “federal violation notice requiring a mandatory appearance in the Yellowstone Justice Center Court.”

After being apprehended by the authorities, the Chinese guest admitted to collecting water from the springs, but was unaware of the park’s rules and regulations because he did not read the safety information provided at the park’s entrance.

The incident was not taken lightly by the authorities as just one week ago, a 23-year-old named Colin Scott “wandered off the boardwalk at Norris Geyser Basin and fell into a slightly acidic, 199-degree Fahrenheit hot spring near Porkchop Geyser.” The Park Rangers were unable to recover the man’s remains.

The National Parks Traveler concluded, “Without visitor cooperation, park natural wonders will continue to be damaged and more individuals may be injured or killed. It is a violation of federal regulations to collect any park resources.”

Do you think this Chinese tourist deserved the $1,000 fine?