Three hikers violated a wilderness closure at Acadia National Park/NPS
Acadia National Park rangers are hoping to learn the identities of three individuals who violated a closure order in place to protect nesting peregrine falcons on the east face of Champlain Mountain.
According to a park release, two men and a woman were seen partway up the Precipice Trail on the morning of July 24. Most of the east face of Champlain Mountain, including the entirety of the Precipice Trail, is closed for several months every year to support the protection of Peregrine Falcons, their nesting sites, and surrounding habitat. Peregrine Falcons are a federally protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Precipice Trail Closure/NPS
Research has shown that nesting peregrine falcons are particularly vulnerable to human activities, which can disturb the adults and make them less attentive to the eggs or chicks. Human activities near a nesting area can lead to temporary or permanent abandonment of the nest by the adults leaving chicks susceptible to hypothermia, starvation, and predation.
This closure is clearly marked at the trail site, and it is widely publicized across various platforms, including Acadia National Park’s official website and social media accounts. Information from other visitors is often very helpful to investigators. If you were in the area of the Precipice Trail on July 24, 2024, or if you have information that could help, please contact the park. You don’t have to tell rangers who you are, but they ask that you share what you know.
CALL the NPS Tip Line 888-653-0009
ONLINE go.nps.gov/SubmitATip EMAIL [email protected]
EMERGENCY dial 9-1-1
Closeups of two men who the Park Service said violated a trail closure/NPS
Comments
Fine the turons and bar them from national Parks.
Need to start sending strong messages to tourons in our parks.
People who think they are above law and do what tgey want for their own pleasure need hefty fine. Suggest NPS put quality video can on trail and in parking lot to id violaters and their car/license plate to id them.
Super Steep fines. License plate numbers and photos upon entering parks. The only way this crap is gonna stop. If you're held accountable before you enter. I'm not even into fascism. But so many people can't follow the rules. I'd rather be pre-approved for NPS passes like the airport Clear project. It's the only way this is going to stop.
More jokers who think the rules don't apply to them. We obviously need much stiffer penalties for this kind of blatant disregard for everything.
If you see something take pics and share with NPS staff as soon as you can. Lifetime ban from all parks would be nice.
Disregard for the rules is a defiance of authority. Disregard for the habitat is intentional putting the nested birds at risk intentionally. Personal selfishness separates these three from the community for their behavior Therefore, the law should not pander a sslap on the wrist and a fine or community service.i suggest suspension of patk permits for life, and 200 hours each manual park labor cleaning loos.
Mandatory community service cleaning up highway trash etc. Jail is pointless.