Safety calls for highland cows after viral TikTok

A wildlife charity has urged visitors to keep their distance from highland cows at one of its sites following a viral TikTok video.

Kent Wildlife Trust, which manages 85 sites across the county, has said social media content is linked to a "surging number of visitors" to Hothfield Heathlands nature reserve in Ashford.

The charity said it had seen people "actively approaching the animals" and "attempting to stroke them", which posed a risk to both visitors and cows.

Jessica Allam, senior wilder grazing ranger at the trust, said the charity was pleased the highland cows had "captured people's hearts online" but asked visitors to remember that "they are not pets".

"Please don't touch them and give them the space they need," she added.

The charity said the cows played an "essential role" as conservation grazers, helping to restore and manage the heathland ecosystem.

Work depended on them remaining calm and undisturbed, it added.

It said visitors should follow guidelines when visiting Hothfield Heathlands.

These include keeping a minimum distance of 10 metres (32 ft) from all livestock, not touching, feeding or approaching the animals, keeping dogs on a short lead and calmly walking away if an animal approaches.

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