Highland cows moved over viral TikTok visitor surge

A herd of highland cows has been removed from a nature reserve after warnings to visitors drawn in by a social media-driven surge in interest were ignored, a wildlife trust has said.

Earlier this month, Kent Wildlife Trust urged visitors to Hothfield Heathlands nature reserve, in Ashford, Kent, to keep their distance from the cows after a viral TikTok video led to people "actively approaching the animals".

But interest in the animals "has exploded" and people have been continuing to get too close to them, with a spokesperson for the trust saying the pressure on the cows "has become too much".

In a social media post, the trust said it had "made the decision to remove the cows" to an undisclosed location "at least for the time being".

Ian Rickards, Kent Wildlife Trust area manager, said: "The constant pressure will be affecting the animals' ability to behave naturally.

"Also, the effect of hundreds of people walking off paths across sensitive habitats will be damaging the wildlife the site is designated for."

Highland cows have reportedly become one of the internet's favourite farm animals, known for their oversized horns and fringe of fur.

More than 300,000 videos on TikTok have been tagged with a hashtag related to the animals.

At Hothfield Heathlands, the highland cows had been used as working livestock animals to graze on the grass and help to manage the reserve.

Visitors to the reserve had been advised to keep at least 10m (33ft) away from the cows, but the trust said these warnings had been repeatedly ignored.

Videos on TikTok appear to show visitors standing and filming within touching distance of the animals.

When under pressure from visitors, the cows can become distressed or react out of fear, a trust spokesperson said.

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