Park rangers are desperately trying to identify three individuals who were spotted climbing a government-protected area in Acadia National Park.
Authorities received a report of a woman and two shirtless men seen on the Precipice Trail in the Maine park on the morning of July 24.
The trail is a bird sanctuary that is strictly off-limits at this time of year to prevent hikers from disturbing the nests of Peregrine Falcons, a government-protected species.
“Most of the east side of Champlain Mountain, including the entire Precipice Trail, is closed for several months each year to protect the Peregrine Falcons, their nesting sites and surrounding habitat,” the National Park Service wrote in a news release Friday.
The best clue park rangers have to track down who is responsible for the trespassing are the three photographs of the suspects.
A man and woman are pictured climbing a section of the Precipice Trail, which is closed at this time of year to protect nesting peregrine falcons.
The third individual, another male, is seen walking on the same path
This wide shot shows all three suspects walking along the closed path
The National Park Service further explained that breeding peregrine falcons are “particularly vulnerable to human activities.”
For example, if someone walks near their location, it could disturb the adult birds and cause them to pay less attention to their young, the press release said.
According to Acadia National Park, human activities near a nesting area can cause adult birds to temporarily or permanently abandon the nest, leaving the chicks susceptible to hypothermia, starvation, and predation.
According to photos from the National Park Service, the trailhead is clearly marked as closed.
It is also widely publicized on the national park’s website and on social media platforms.
The National Park Service released this photo, which clearly shows that the Precipice Trail is closed
Investigators are asking hikers who were near the Precipice Trail on July 24 to come forward and tell them what they know.
Those with knowledge can contact the National Park Service at 888-653-0009 or email nps_isb@nps.gov.
You can also choose to submit an anonymous tip at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip.
DailyMail.com contacted Acadia National Park for comment.