Wildlife experts urge Brits to keep their distance from HIGHLAND COWS

"Please do enjoy walking around the site, but just give them some space. We're asking people to remember that these are not pets - they are conservation grazers doing an important job. Jessica Allam, Senior Wilder Grazing Ranger at Kent Wildlife Trust, emphasizes the need for visitors to respect the animals' boundaries and understand their conservation role."

"Several TikTok clips show visitors walking up to the cattle, leaving the path to stand with them as they graze, and even trying to pet them. As Kent Wildlife Trust points out, these videos often show the cows in clear signs of distress - shaking their horns as the filming influencers approach."

"Ms Allam says there were over 50 cars filling the small car park yesterday afternoon, while a normal weekday might only bring three or four visitors at a time. While the conservation expert says it has been 'lovely' to see so many people taking an interest in nature, the influx of eager fans has also had a downside for the animals."

Highland cattle grazing freely at Hothfield Heathlands Nature Reserve near Ashford, Kent have gained viral popularity on TikTok, attracting large numbers of visitors attempting to film and pet the animals. Kent Wildlife Trust, which manages the site, reports a dramatic increase in visitors—over 50 cars in the car park compared to the usual three or four on weekdays. Videos show visitors leaving designated paths to approach the cattle closely, despite visible signs of animal distress such as horn shaking. Wildlife experts emphasize these are conservation grazers performing important ecological work, not pets, and urge the public to maintain respectful distance while enjoying the nature reserve.

Read at Mail Online