Three men charged after leaving viewing platform to feed bears in national park

Three men could face prison time after officials say they left a viewing platform to get closer to brown bears at Katmai National Park, The Idaho Statesman reported.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the three men, from Alaska and New Mexico, were charged Thursday for “creating a hazardous condition in a closed area” and getting within 50 yards of brown bears in an attempt to feed them. 

Officials said the three men could face up to six months in prison if convicted, the Idaho newspaper reported.

Authorities said that while visiting the park in August 2018, the three men left the designated viewing platform and went to the nearby Brooks River, an area known for its bear activity. 

​​“The three men created a hazardous condition as brown bears were feeding on the falls and in the Brooks River just below the falls,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. “As they waded into the Brooks River the three men came within 50 yards of the brown bears.”

The Brooks Rivers is a source of food for thousands of bears at the national park, according to the National Park Service.

All tourists at the Katmai National Park must keep a 50 yards distance between them and bears, according to the Idaho newspaper. 

Last month, Illinois resident Samantha Dehring was hit with federal charges for approaching and photographing a grizzly bear and its cubs at the Yellowstone National Park in May. She faces up to a year in prison and $10,000 in fines.