Drones are not allowed in KNP or other parks
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles prohibited in any national park
SKUKUZA – SKUKUZA – South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued a stern warning against the flying of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), such as drones, over any of the country’s national parks.
It does not matter whether it is used for game viewing, filming, photography or any other purposes during a visit to any of the national parks, particularly the Kruger National Park (KNP).
National parks are legislated protected areas with restricted airspace, and are therefore no-fly zones for all unauthorised aircraft systems.
“Recently we had two incidents where KNP tourists reported people flying aircraft illegally, getting out of vehicles in undesignated areas, interfering in sightings and 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 Mr William Mabasa, the general manager of communications and marketing in the KNP.
Not only is this a contravention of the National Environmental Management Act (Nema) on protected areas, but there are also restrictions in terms of the aerial filming rights and therefore an infringement of SANParks’ filming and 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 or drone without the express permission of the management authority of SANParks.”
According to the Environmental Crimes Investigating unit (ECI) in KNP, it appears that during one incident the culprits were international guests, but the investigation was still underway.
“These kinds of incidents can impact negatively on the well-being of animals as well as the experience of other visitors. We would specifically like to 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 on 013-735-5516 or 076-801-9679 so that these people can be caught in the act,” concluded Mabasa.
