Pierce Brosnan has to pay up after he posted photos of himself standing on off-limits thermal areas of Yellowstone National Park last year.
Brosnan, 70, best known for his portrayals of James Bond, was fined $500 and must pay $1,000 to the Yellowstone Forever Geological Fund, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming.
Brosnan, who was cited in the case in December, pleaded guilty to foot travel in a thermal area, the U.S. attorney's office said.
In November, Brosnan posted pictures of himself to Instagram standing on a Yellowstone National Park thermal feature at Mammoth Hot Springs.
"There are signs posted in the area that warn visitors of the dangers of thermal features and state that visitors must remain on the designated boardwalks and trails," federal prosecutors said in a statement.
The National Park Service investigated, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes, who asked the court to sentence Brosnan to two years' probation and the maximum $5,000 fine.
In a Thursday Instagram post, Brosnan said he made an "impulsive mistake" that he does "not take lightly" when he stood on the thermal area and took a photo of it. He claimed in the post that he never saw a "No Trespassing" sign "that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area."
"As an environmentalist I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world," Brosnan said in the post. "I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area."
The thermal basins at Yellowstone are some of the most popular attractions at the national park, boasting hot springs, geysers and other geological sights.
But the National Park Service warns that “the ground in thermal areas is fragile and thin, and scalding water is just below the surface,” adding that walking on the thermal areas is “dangerous and can harm delicate natural resources within the park.”
The park service encourages visitors to "exercise extreme caution around thermal features by staying on boardwalks and trails," in order to stay safe. According to the park service's safety guidelines for Yellowstone, the geological formations can “cause severe or fatal burns” as “scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs.”
