Park rangers are desperate to identify three individuals seen climbing through a federally protected area in Acadia National Park.
Authorities received a report of a woman and two shirtless men who were seen on the Precipice Trail in Maine Park on the morning of July 24.
The trail is a bird sanctuary that is strictly off-limits this time of year to prevent hikers from disturbing the nests of peregrine falcons, a federally protected species.
“Most of the east face of Champlain Mountain, including the entire Precipice Trail, is closed for several months each year to support the protection of peregrine falcons, their nesting sites, and surrounding habitat,” the National Park Service wrote in a news release Friday.
The best clue the park rangers have for finding the person responsible for the break-in is the three photographs of the suspects.
A man and woman are pictured climbing part of the Precipice Trail, which is closed during this time of year to protect nesting peregrine falcons.
The third individual, another man, is seen walking along the same path.
This panning shot shows the three suspects walking along the closed trail.
The National Park Service went on to explain that nesting peregrine falcons are “particularly vulnerable to human activities.”
Specifically, if someone were to walk near them, it could disturb the adult birds and cause them to be less attentive to their chicks, according to the news release.
“Human activities near a nesting area can result in temporary or permanent nest abandonment by adults, leaving chicks susceptible to hypothermia, starvation and predation,” according to Acadia National Park.
The trail closure is clearly marked at the trailhead, according to photos provided by the National Park Service.
It is also “widely advertised” on the national park’s website and social media platforms.
The National Park Service released this photo, which shows that it would be obvious that the Precipice Trail is closed.
Investigators are urging 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.
There is also an option to submit an anonymous tip at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip.
DailyMail.com has contacted Acadia National Park for comment.
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