Tourist Drones in Parks

[Richprins]

There have been a few incidents regarding tourists using little remote-controlled hovering aircraft to take pics in conservation areas, notably KTP and KNP.

Today there was a media report from Kruger, waiting for material!

These things are very expensive, becoming less so, so maybe it should be stamped out?

[Bushveld Jock]

RP the drones used for photography is cheaper than a standard lens below R10 000. If people see they can get away with it in the parks, more will buy it and use it. Already restricted in the USA NP where your drone will be shot down and the transgressor will be arrested by police. They don't bother if you only fly over a waterfall or rock formation and will confiscate the drone with a hefty fine. It is already a rule in SANParks, but its seems that managers working for the parks are not aware and maybe only implemented at KTP, although a fine was issues last year to some-one who flew a drone from a camp in Kruger. It falls under Section 47 of the National Environmental Management: Protected Area Act 57, 2003.

Act 57 defines an aircraft as: “aircraft” means an airborne craft of any type whatsoever, whether self- propelled or not, and includes a hovercraft.

Park Regulations
•To ensure a safe and joyful trip through our parks, kindly adhere to the Rules and Regulations as stipulated by South African National Parks.
•The use of drones inside (and over) our national parks is strictly prohibited.

[Lisbeth]

At least the regulation is already there! But if the staff does not know about it, little it will help

[nan]

... until an accident

[Toko]

In this case I am all for a shoot on sight policy

[Richprins]

Interesting, BJ!

Basically, a Mpumalanga vehicle stopped near a herd of elephant, and launched a drone, which eventually panicked the herd...

Heard today the bunch were charged and permanently banned from Kruger, and have to appear in the Skukuza magistrate's court!

[Richprins]

Wednesday, December 31, 2014



South African National Parks (SANParks) would like to warn individuals against flying of unmanned aerial vehicles (such as drones) either for game viewing, filming, photography or any other purposes during their visit/stay in any of the National Parks, particularly the Kruger National Park (KNP). This practice is illegal as National Parks are legislated protected areas with restricted airspace, therefore a no-fly zone for all unauthorized aircraft systems.

“We have had two incidents reported by tourists in the KNP recently of people flying such aircraft illegally, getting out of vehicles on undesignated areas, interfering in sightings; disturbing and stalking animals; only to feign innocence upon questioning. We would like to inform such people and other drone users that, should they be found flying them in the Park at any time, they will be arrested on the spot and their equipment will be seized”, said KNP’s General Manager, Communications & Marketing, William Mabasa.

Not only is this a contravention of the NEMA Protected Areas Act, but there are also restrictions in terms of the aerial filming rights and therefore an infringement of SANParks’ filming/photography policy. The NEMA Protected Areas Act states that “it is illegal to fly below 2,500 feet above the highest point of any national park, including the KNP, with any aircraft/drone without the express permission of the Management Authority of the particular National Park i.e. SANParks.

“These kinds of incidents can negatively impact on the wellbeing of animals as well as the experience of other visitors. We would like to specifically thank the guests, who reported one of the incidents to the nearest camp. We would also like to encourage all law abiding citizens to report such incidents to the Emergency Call Centre numbers 013 735 5516/076 801 9679 so that these people can be caught in the act”, concluded Mabasa.


Communications & Marketing Department - Kruger National Park. Contact: Tel: 013 735 4262, cell: 082 807 1441 or email: laura.mukwevho@sanparks.org

[Toko]

SANParks!

[Lisbeth]

[harrys]