If a participant steps off the designated path, the consequences can be severe.
1. Mutation and Alterations: Altering the course of history creates mutations in the present, leading to changes in the world. These mutations can range from minor physical changes to even global catastrophes, depending on the extent and nature of the deviations.
2. Ecological Impact: Disobeying instructions can cause harm to the prehistoric ecosystem. For instance, if a participant accidentally steps on an insect or a plant that is crucial to the food chain, it could set off a chain reaction of ecological changes.
3. Temporal Nexus: The company utilizes a device known as the Temporal Nexus to open a portal into the past. Deviating from the path means stepping out of the protected zone, which can lead to the participant becoming trapped in the past without any means of returning.
4. Butterfly Effect: The movie emphasizes the concept of the butterfly effect, illustrating that even small actions in the past can have unforeseen consequences in the present and future. Disobeying instructions disrupts this delicate balance and leads to potential paradoxes.
Therefore, the penalty for disobeying safari company instructions is not explicitly mentioned as a fine or punishment, but rather the dire consequences that result from altering the timeline, including mutations, ecological disruptions, getting stuck in the past, and contributing to larger temporal paradoxes.