Related: Yosemite National Park says no to drones, Zion follows suit
“What we have to determine is whether the presence of this radio-controlled recreational aircraft poses a threat to that unique resource,” Al Nash, the park’s spokesman, told Reuters. The hot spring is the world’s third largest, and it’s a major Yellowstone attraction. Park officials are determining if they are able to retrieve the drone from the wide, 121-foot-deep spring. The presence of the drone could affect the bacteria and minerals that create the spring’s unique colors.
This crash follows an earlier incident at Yellowstone Lake and other violations at Grand Teton National Park, Reuters reports. This increase use of drones – and the public safety and park protection involved – led the agency to declare the ban. Despite the new rule, it seems not everyone got the memo, judging from this incident. But, with the potential damage caused to this important natural phenomenon, the park system could get stricter on the ban.
Related: Interactive “no fly” map shows where you can safely operate a camera drone
