Pierce Brosnan pleads guilty to illegal hiking at Yellowstone National Park
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: Steve Granitz/FilmMagic/Getty / Paul Archuleta/Getty Images
Pierce Brosnan has changed his plea regarding the allegations he was facing of illegal hiking.
In November 2023, the James Bond star was accused of stepping off a trail in a thermal area of Yellowstone national park - something that could have proved fatal for Brosnan.
According to the US District Court of Wyoming, Brosnan had been cited for 'foot travel in all thermal areas and w/in Yellowstone Canyon confined to trails' and 'violating closures and use limits'.
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He had not been working at the the time of the incident and had visited the park on a personal capacity.
In January, the 70-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charges that could have landed him behind bars, with his lawyer requesting a trial.
But Brosnan has now changed his plea to 'guilty' and has been hit with two fines.
The accusations of the actor violating closures in the park have been dropped by US magistrate judge Stephanie Hambrick but as a result of his guilty plea regarding stepping in thermal areas, the Mamma Mia! star has been ordered to pay $500.
He also has to make a $1,000 donation to Yellowstone Forever.
Brosnan has since issued a statement on the matter and apologized for his actions.
Sharing photos of Yellowstone on Instagram, he wrote: "As an environmentalist I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world.
"However, I made an impulsive mistake - one that I do not take lightly - when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph. I did not see a “No Trespassing” sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area.
"I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area.
"Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy. #StayOnThePath."
Yellowstone's website states the dangers of straying from the park's designated paths.
"In thermal areas, the ground may be only a thin crust above boiling hot springs, and there is no way to guess where a safe path is," it says.
"New hazards can bubble up overnight, and pools are acidic enough to burn through boots, so you must stay in designated walking areas.
"The park service has established boardwalks for an easy and safe approach to thermal features."
Breaking park violations are punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.