The apps, designed for smartphones and tablets, are designed to alert users to where different animals are located. So, for someone wishing to spot a lion, the location can appear in the form of co-ordinates. All fine in theory; however, the use of the apps triggers behaviors that are leading to speeding, congestion and even to animal deaths, according to park authorities.
The usual practice of stumbling across an interesting animal by chance, or even due to good observation skills, is fading and a reliance upon tracking apps is on the rise. This, according to South African National Parks, is causing chaos. There have also been complaints from safari goers who prefer the more traditional ways of coming across noble beasts within the park setting.
Interviewed by the BBC, Hapiloe Sello, the South African National Parks managing executive of 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.”
Sello reports on incidents of road rage as well as incidents in which animals had been run over and killed. One such app to receive criticism is the Latest Kruger Sightings app. The app’s creator, Nadav Ossendryver, said to the BBC he was keen to “work with the park to solve the issues.” The app is popular with users, judging by its Twitter feed. However, supporting the ban of these types of apps in general is also trending high on Twitter. Earth Island Journal (@earthislandjrnl), for instance, called animal tracking apps “a major cause of concern.”
The agency, formed in 1926, manages 22 parks comprising over 3,700,000 hectares (37,000 square kilometers), representing around 4 percent of the total area of South Africa.
