A man who entered the protected Canary Spring Zone within Yellowstone National Park with his family has been found guilty of trespassing and sentenced to a week in jail, according to Unofficial Networks. Joseph Aita, 62, also received a five-year ban from the park during his sentencing in October and will have to pay a $3,000 fine.
Not only did Aita disregard the safety boardwalks designed to keep visitors safe while viewing the hydrothermal features, he disrupted the protected area, potentially causing consequences to the fragile ecosystem. According to a District of Wyoming press release, Aita "pleaded guilty to destroying a mineral resource."
The fine may be a hard pill to swallow, but Aita is fortunate he is around to pay it — and that his family was not harmed. It's extremely dangerous for humans to enter these protected zones.
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For one, toxic gases may accumulate to dangerous levels in these areas, and that can cause visitors to feel ill. The National Park Service warns that "more than 20 people have died from burns suffered after they entered or fell into Yellowstone's hot springs."
Visitors may not be aware that the thermal areas are surrounded by a "thin, breakable crust," making the threat of falling through into scalding water high. However, as Unofficial Networks points out, "There is ample signage warning visitors not to leave boardwalks due to the dangers."
Social media has also shared numerous stories of the risks of disregarding safety restrictions, from getting too close to wild animals to venturing off marked paths, at times even endangering rescue teams that need to step in.
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Ultimately, the parks are an amazing way for people to connect with nature — a practice proved to boost mental health. However, following regulations is part of protecting the parks to ensure future generations can continue to enjoy them.
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