Two paragliders were issued citations on suspicion of disturbing local wildlife around Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach on Aug. 18, according to the Cannon Beach Police Department.
Officials were notified that two paragliders were operating around the sea stack, which is protected as part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and disturbing wildlife, officials said.
The police identified the two individuals and forwarded a report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement.
Federal wildlife officials later contacted both pilots and issued citations of unauthorized aircraft while harassing wildlife, according to the police department.
Haystack Rock is home to tufted puffins and other seabirds, according to the National Park Service. It's illegal to climb, visit or disturb the rocks.
Makenzie Stamets is an outdoor intern at the Statesman Journal. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @MakenzieStamets.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Paragliders cited, accused of harassing wildlife near Haystack Rock