Chinese Man Fined, Collected Thermal Water in Yellowstone

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) — A tourist from China has been fined $1,000 for walking off the boardwalk in the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone National Park and collecting thermal water, apparently for medicinal purposes.

Park officials say a witness reported seeing the man break through the travertine crust surrounding the hot springs on Tuesday and took photos that were turned over to park rangers. The man told rangers he did not read the safety information given to him when he entered the park.

Park regulations require visitors to stay on trails and boardwalks for their own safety as well as to protect the natural resources. It is a violation of federal regulations to collect any park resources. Park spokeswoman Charissa Reid said the man reportedly wanted the water for medicinal purposes. Yellowstone officials did not release the man's name.