KNP day visitor detained after flying drone in Park

A day visitor in the Kruger National Park was detained by the Protection Services in a joint operation with the SAPS after flying a drone over baboons in the Letaba Rest Camp Region at the Nhlanganini Dam, Letaba Herald reports.

According to the Media Specialist of the SANParks, Ike Phaahla, the SANParks officials were informed that a man had been flying a drone in the Park. A blue Audi entered the park through Phalaborwa Gate on Saturday, February 3 and the drone was not detected by the Protection Services.

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Karien Keet, the Section Ranger of Phalaborwa, told the Herald, “It was around the afternoon when somebody called and informed me about a tourist stepping outside their car and operating a drone.”

She says that the individual was first seen at Nhlaganini Dam and was later spotted at Sable Dam before he sped to Phalaborwa Gate.

“I called the security officials at the gate and told them to keep the car there. I contacted the police thereafter,” Keet explained.

According to Phaahla, upon the arrival of the car at the gate, the Protection Services of the Park and SAPS searched the vehicle and a drone was indeed found in his possession.

“He explained that he did not go through his permit rules and was not aware of the ban on drones inside the park,” Phaahla told the Herald.

When the officials also asked as to why he was flying the drone in the Park, his explanation was that he was trying to get wildlife visuals.

“The visuals were downloaded from the drone and he was then released by SAPS,” Phaahla continued.

“We have printed the rules on our permits and we have done media campaigns to alert visitors to the National Parks that drones are not permitted,” says Phaahla.

“We would like to advise our visitors to always go through the rules of the park when visiting,” he stated.

He continued by saying that transgressors of those rules might end up with a steep fine or even being banned from the Park. “We all need to be responsible and enjoy our natural heritage without inconveniencing others,” Phaahla concluded.

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