Three Men Charged For Viewing Brooks Falls Bears In Prohibited Area

Here’s more from Alaska’s News Source:

On Aug. 9, 2018, 56-year-old David Engelman of Sandia Park, New Mexico; 54-year-old Ronald J. Engleman II of King Salmon; and 30-year-old Steven Thomas of King Salmon allegedly “left the authorized Brooks Falls viewing platform” and jumped into the Brooks River to approach brown bears “feeding on and in the Brooks River just below the falls,” according to the press release.

The national park is a “safe zone” for the numerous bears that roam the Brooks Camp area, requiring visitors to follow specific rules and regulations to protect any bears or people. The release stated the men created a “hazardous condition” when the they allegedly “came within 50 yards of the brown bears.”

The report adds that the men face prison time and as much as a $5,000 fine.