Tourist Drones in Parks

[Richprins]

In December at Letaba a lot of people are "migrants" through Giriyondo Border Post, Alf!

[Alf]

Yes i know but im just saying it could be the next thing popping out its head.

People are weird things

[Richprins]

Caught in the act
Flying of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for game viewing, filming, photography or any other purposes during their visit to the park this festive season or any other time is illegal.
2 hours ago


SATARA – Yet another tourist has been caught in the act of flying a drone in the Kruger National Park (KNP).

This caused quite a stir on the Facebook group, Latest Sightings – Kruger, as many felt that the perpetrator should never be allowed in the park again, and that it could just as well have been used to spot rhinos for poaching. The car’s registration plates belonged to a rental company, and by the time the gates were notified, the culprit had already left the park through Orpen Gate.

SANparks has warned individuals against the flying of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for game viewing, filming, photography or any other purposes during their visit to the park this festive season or any other time.

This practice is illegal as national parks are legislated protected areas with restricted airspace,and is therefore a no-fly zone for all unauthorised aircraft systems. “We have had too many incidents reported by tourists in the KNP, of people flying such aircraft illegally, getting out of vehicles in undesignated areas, interfering with sightings, disturbing and stalking animals, only to feign innocence upon questioning. We would like to remind such people that, should they be caught 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 for communications and marketing, Mr William Mabasa.

“These kinds of incidents can negatively impact on the well-being of animals as well as the experience of other visitors.” To report similar incidents, contact the emergency call centre on 013-735-5516/076-801-9679.



http://lowvelder.co.za/304677/caught-in-the-act/

[Bushveld Jock]

The first we saw this activity a ban was immediately introduced with the help of Jan Kriel in KTP early in 2014. All the letters you receive with confirmation of booking clearly state that it is prohibited. During this year there was an article in Wild Magazine about drone photography publishing the pics taken at Rooiputs while we were there and alerted the park officials. Nearly looks as if he was glorified and in good taste his photos should not have been publish. Will see if I can get a link.

23. BEHAVIOUR – Behaving in an offensive, improper, indecent or disorderly manner including the playing of any radio, compact disc player, music system, musical system or instrument, or in any way cause of any noise in any manner likely to disturb any species or specimen or other person is strictly prohibited and will be fined if not adhered to. The hindering, intimidating or obstructing of an authorized official in the execution if his/her duties or the performance of his/her functions will not be tolerated and is subject to a penalty. Violation, refusal or failure to obey or comply with any prohibition, request or instruction imposed by these regulations or by the management authority or authorized official will result in prosecution;
24. BICYCLES: Please enlighten yourself with the rules and regulations applicable to the use of roller skates, skateboards, bicycles and motorbikes for the park/s that you will be visiting as there are restrictions in some of the parks;
25. DRONES: The use of drones inside (and over) national parks is strictly prohibited.

[Lisbeth]

[Bushveld Jock]

The article on drones can be viewed from page 25.

http://issuu.com/wild_magazine/docs/wil ... 15_issuu/1

[okie]

Hmmmm...... Drones , like many other things illegal practises , are prohibited in South Africa's national parks , but the problem is , that nodoby at Sanparks ever do anything about it .
Firearms are prohibited , but apart from a muted question " do you have anything to declare " , very very few people are made aware that it is illegal to bring firearms into the parks . No vehicle is ever searched either ......
Nobody is ever told NOT TO LEAVE THEIR VEHICLES , etc , etc , etc

Of course it is illegal , but South Africans are people who like to break the rules and laws of the country . And if Saffies can do it , why not other visitors ?

[Richprins]

Of all those things, the drones are probably the rarest and most innocent, in a sense, okie?

I must say, it is a fascinating way of game viewing...maybe SP could make a drone area available next to exploited areas?

These last ones seem to be foreigners, but the locals do it too...

[nan]

and where is the chance

[Richprins]

You must see the view from these drones, nana...very useful for science and antipoaching...they scare the sh*t out of the muti-filled poachers!

But very noisy! Getting less noisy..

Not acceptable within a km of tourists!