SANParks and the developer of the Latest Sightings app, which lists sightings in safari parks, are expected to meet to address challenges caused by the use of the app.
SANParks said earlier this week that it could look to legal action to prevent the use of wildlife sightings mobile applications, which, it says, has led to speeding, congestion and road kills.
In a statement on Wednesday, SANParks asked patrons to stop using mobile sightings apps. “We will look at the reaction to the statement and if people don’t stop we will ask lawyers to advise us on what we can do,” said William Mabasa, Acting Head of Communications SANParks
Speeding, congestion at sightings as well as road kills caused by guests rushing to and congregating around these sightings were some of the problems created by the use of these apps, confirmed Mabasa.
Hapiloe Sello, SANParks Managing Executive: Tourism Development and Marketing commented: “As an organisation we appreciate the fact that technology has evolved and that guests are taking advantage of it, however this is compromising the values of good game viewing in national parks.
“We at SANParks discourage the use of these mobile applications as they tend to induce an unhealthy sense of eagerness for visitors to break the rules and we are exploring legal mechanisms to curtail the use of sightings apps.”
Nadav Ossendryver, Founder of Latest Sightings is eager to find a solution. “The point of the app is to share the love of wildlife and if we find that there’s a problem, I’m excited to find ways of fixing it,” he told Tourism Update. “We have contacted SANParks and set up a meeting to work together to enhance people’s wildlife experience.”
He said one of the ways in which they managed problems was by posting rules on a WhatsApp group, which members of their Facebook page were alerted to join. Some of the rules include advising on speed limits and reporting specific wildlife sightings to help with the various research organisations working with Latest Sightings.
Ossendryver adds that apart from these rules, patrons entering the park are also issued with a pamphlet to inform them of rules.
Andrew Iles, from Ashtons Tours, Safaris & Shuttles, said he agreed with SANParks’ request for patrons to stop using these apps. “This is supposed to be a wildlife sanctuary area and now we’re going to have super-overcrowded sightings.”
Dirk Reiche, Marketing Assistant at Sunway Safari, says that speeding towards these animal sightings could possibly result in more accidents.
“I forsee big problems and I agree with SANParks not wanting to allow the use of the app,” said Reiche.
