Highland cows at Hothfield Heathlands nature reserve in Kent have been removed from public view after becoming distressed by visitors seeking to film and take selfies with them. The cattle, known for their shaggy coats and upturned horns, were brought in to restore the reserve through wild grazing.
Videos of the cows went viral on TikTok, prompting a flood of visitors. Despite warnings from Kent Wildlife Trust, which manages the site, to keep at least 10 metres away, people attempted to stroke the animals, causing them stress. The trust stated, 'When under pressure, the cows can become distressed,' and added that in a worst-case scenario, they could react out of fear.
The decision was made to remove the cows at least temporarily, as a post on the trust's website explained: 'We're sad to say we've made the decision to remove the cows at Hothfield Heathlands, at least for the time being.'
This is not the first instance of Highland cattle attracting unwanted attention. In January, three people had to be rescued after getting lost while searching for some viral Highland cattle on Butser Hill in Hampshire.
Kent Wildlife Trust urged visitors to respect the personal space of the animals. The incident echoes the case of Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo whose global fame led to harassment from crowds.
