A herd of wild cows has become a social media star, but wildlife experts are warning Britons to keep their distance.
These wild cows are found grazing freely in the Hothfield Heathlands Nature Reserve, near Ashford, Kent.
But the Kent Wildlife Trust, which manages the reserve, says a recent viral video has sparked a wave of TikTok users trying to film themselves up close to the beloved animals.
Animal experts have now issued a clear warning: "These are not house pets!"
Some TikTok videos show visitors approaching cows, stepping off the path to stand next to them while they graze, and even trying to touch them.
As the Kent Wildlife Trust points out, these videos often show clear signs of stress in the cows – they wag their horns as visitors approach.
Jessica Allam, senior ranger at Kent Wildlife Trust, told the Daily Mail:
"Please enjoy walking in the reserves, but leave some space for the cows. These are not domestic animals – they are wild grazers who do important work for nature conservation."
On TikTok, videos of Highland cows in Hothfield Heathlands have gone viral, with some having over hundreds of thousands of views. One visitor wrote:
“We found some Highland cows in Kent, that made my morning! They were very friendly and calm.”
The increase in popularity has prompted an influx of visitors to the nature reserves. Allam says there were over 50 cars in the small parking lot yesterday afternoon, while on a normal day there might be only three or four visitors.
While this interest is welcome for nature conservation, the presence of so many visitors has its own consequences for the animals. Experts warn that cows do not appreciate being touched or petted under any circumstances.
"Highland cattle are hardy and spend their entire lives outdoors, with almost no contact with humans, except when they need medical treatment," explains Allam.
"When an animal has never been handled, any unexpected touch can be a shock and very stressful. Animals don't touch each other unless they are friends. This is like a stranger coming up and trying to pet you on the head."
Increased stress can cause not only momentary discomfort, but also long-term problems: reduced grazing, weight loss, increased risk of injury, and defensive behavior.
Anne-Marie Carruthers, secretary of the Highland Cattle Society, told the Daily Mail:
"Approaching cows that are grazing freely is considered harmful, because they become stressed, may exhibit defensive behavior, and interrupt their grazing routine."
In addition to being stressful for the cows, interacting with a semi-wild animal that weighed half a ton could also be dangerous for humans. Many videos show the cows wagging their horns at visitors, which is their way of warning them: keep your distance.
"Allam adds: 'They have big horns and they know how to use them. It can be dangerous, so please keep a distance of 10 meters or 10 big steps.'"
Kent Wildlife Trust asks that visitors do not approach, touch or feed the cows and that dogs are kept on a short leash. If an animal approaches, visitors are advised to leave calmly without running.
Although these Highland cows are very attractive, they have an important ecological role. They help control fast-growing trees and maintain plant and animal diversity.
Hothfield Heathlands is one of the last remaining bog and heath ecosystems in Kent. Cows eat the young leaves of birch trees, keeping the bog clean and healthy. In the forest, they use their horns to pull down small trees and reach the tasty leaves at the top, providing a variety of plant ages that helps birds and other species.
Allam concludes:
"It's fun to see people learning about the work of cows, but let them have their own space. They are working animals and should be allowed to do their job." /GazetaExpress/
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