South African National Parks (SANParks) are urging the public to refrain from using drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) in any of the country’s National Parks, irrespective of its purpose.
KNP spokesperson, Reynold Thakhuli, said this practice is prohibited in terms of The National Environmental Management (NEMA) Protected Areas Act.
It states that “it is illegal to fly any unmanned aircraft below 2,500 feet above the highest point of any National Park without the express permission of the Management Authority of the particular Park.”
SANParks are legislatively protected areas with restricted airspace, rendering it no-fly zones for all unauthorized aircraft systems.
“Not only is this a contravention of the NEMA Protected Areas Act, but there are also restrictions in terms of aerial filming rights. It is an infringement of SANParks’ filming photography policy. Flying such aircraft illegally in the Park can negatively impact the wellbeing of animals, as well as the experience of visitors.
Drone users, flying illegally in any National Park, would be arrested and their equipment confiscated. “We also encourage law-abiding citizens to continue to report such incidents to the Emergency Call Centre on 013 735 4064/013 735 0197/076 801 9679, Thakhuli concluded.
