5 Tips on How to Report Illegal Drone Use on Federal Refuge and Park Lands
Jan 30 Written By Lori A Cash
Federal laws prohibit the use of drones or unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to take off or land on all national refuge and park lands and in wilderness areas. Last year at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina, I watched a drone launched illegally from the wildlife drive on the refuge lands. This drone operator/pilot flew his drone directly over a black bear that was sitting in a field. The bear was far away even for my focal length of 600mm. I watched the drone fly right overhead of the black bear, and the bear became spooked.
American black bear (Ursus americanus) sitting in a field enjoying a sunny spring evening when the bear was startled by a drone flying overhead at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in East Lake, North Carolina.
The bear then stood and started walking towards the woods while it kept looking up to check on the drone in the air. Eventually, the bear went into the woods unharmed but stressed. This illegal drone use caused this black bear to alter its behavior from relaxing and eating in the field to being chased into the woods.
This incident is the inspiration for this blog post. We must refrain from using drones to take pictures. Drone use harasses and disturbs the natural behaviors of wildlife. As responsible wildlife photographers, we have a responsibility and ethical obligation towards protecting wildlife. Our duty as an ethical wildlife photographer is to make sure that No Harm is brought towards the wildlife.
American black bear running towards the woods after being startled and stressed by an illegal use of drone on the lands of a national wildlife refuge.
Illegal drone use on National Wildlife Refuge lands and National Parks and in wilderness areas are blatant disregards of this banned drone use. In addition, there are Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations that drone operators/pilots have to follow.
Therefore, drone operators/pilots have to follow not only federal regulations regarding federal lands but, also, federal regulations for using drones for searching and detecting wildlife.
So, what do you do when you encounter an incident similar to the one that I had at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge? In this blog post, you will learn about the effects of drone use on wildlife and tips on reporting illegal drone use on national refuge and park lands and in wilderness areas to protect our wildlife.
Flying drones over or near wildlife can have a stressful effect upon their lives and may even cause harm or death. In the instance I had with the drone and black bear, if there would have been a cub with the mother, there would be an increased sensitivity to the drone.
We, as photographers, need to help protect our wildlife as the use of drones continues to increase. There will continue to be those individuals that will break the regulation prohibiting use of drones on federal lands. As responsible photographers we need to do our ethical part to ensure the safety of the wildlife.
Below are 5 tips that will provide guidance on what to do when we are out in the field and come across prohibited drone use.
5 Tips for Reporting Illegal Use of Drones on federal lands especially when harassing wildlife:
Report the drone operator/pilot immediately to the park ranger or local law enforcement officers. They will be able to protect the public and wildlife safety. Enforcement officials can help discourage dangerous or illegal activities, including unlawful use of drones.
File a report with the FAA as they have authority over all airspace in the United States. There are FAA regulations against dangerous drone use and endangering wildlife. Click here for to find out how to report an illegal drone sighting with the FAA. These investigators can probe into the drone operator/pilot’s actions to determine if illegal use of drone has been conducted. If so, the drone operator/pilot may be subject to penalties or even criminal charges. Penalties for violating drone laws can range from $70 to as steep as $125,000.
Take a picture of the license plate of the vehicle for the drone operator/pilot to give to Park Ranger, law enforcement or the FAA. Sometimes, on national refuges or parks there are wildlife drives or nearby parking areas. Take note, if you happen to see a drone operator getting out of a certain vehicle. In my experience, I was pulled over on a wildlife drive while photographing the distant black bear in the field and saw the drone operator/pilot pull over behind me. This information gives an opportunity for the authorities to locate the proper drone operator/pilot.
One of the best ways to stop the illegal drone activity is by going up to the drone operator/pilot and gently talking to them about why the drone use is harmful to wildlife. It would be good, too, to inform them that it is prohibited to use drones on national refuge and park lands. Sometimes, this is all it takes as the drone operator/pilot may not been aware of drone use being banned on these federal lands.
Always put the welfare of the wildlife first by taking action against illegal use of drones on the refuge and national parks lands and wilderness areas.
American black bear looking up to check on the illegal drone flying overhead as the bear is heading for the safety of the woods.
Conclusion
Unauthorized flying or operating a drone in national refuge and park lands or wilderness areas, regardless of whether it is disturbing or flying near wildlife, is illegal. On these lands drones may not be used for any purpose including launching, landing or even hunting.
As witnessed in my personal experience with a drone operator/pilot on national refuge lands, wildlife is clearly adversely affected by drones being used in their territory. You will find that there are similar such stories. I hope the tips provided hereon will guide you if you ever find yourself in similar circumstances. As ethical and responsible photographers, we all need to protect our wildlife.
