Tourists ignore signs to stay back to grab selfies with Highland cows

People posing just feet from the dosile giants in a Hampshire park (Picture: w8media)

Tourists are still trying to snap the ultimate selfie just inches from Highland cows despite a warning to stay back.

Visitor behaviour at Butser Hill, Hampshire, forced the site officials to issue a warning after people got too close to the giant animals.

The Highland cows grazing on the hill near Petersfield have gone viral after visitors took snaps next to them, with some posing way too close.

Queen Elizabeth Country Park, which looks after the furry animals, issued a warning earlier this year to remind people to ‘not touch or approach’ them.

A child appeared to be within touching distance of a Highland cow, which can weigh up to 1,800 lbs (Picture: w8media)

People were also told to dress appropriately for the trip, saying that ‘crocs and trainers won’t cut it on these slopes.’

Firefighters reportedly had to rescue three visitors who had gotten stuck on the difficult terrain while searching for the TikTok-famous cows.

Despite the warning, visitors were spotted yesterday, with many, including children, standing just a few feet away.

One woman leaned in towards a cow while the others snapped pictures of her.

The park said the cows are there to do a job, which is to graze to help maintain and protect the rare scrub and chalk grassland.

Steve Jenkins, the park station manager, said that the social media videos fail to reflect how demanding reaching the animals can be.

People have flocked to Butser Hill during the Easter half-term, but some have continued to heed the warnings about staying back from the animals (Picture: w8media)

He said: ‘The terrain can be challenging, especially during winter when poor weather conditions are more frequent and the daylight hours are limited.

‘The area is covered in thick gorse, and the wet weather has made the ground very slippery.

‘Without proper preparation, visitors are at risk of slips, falls and hypothermia. We’re glad no one was harmed during this incident, but it highlights the risks of visiting an exposed downland environment where conditions can change rapidly.’

People have flocked to Butser Hill during the Easter half-term, but some have continued to heed the warnings about staying back from the animals (Picture: w8media)

Hordes of selfie-hungry visitors are also causing grey hairs to locals, who have complained about roads being rammed.

One neighbour said: ‘I’m so annoyed this has become a trend my farm is the land directly next to it and its jam packed 24/7.’

Another one wrote: ‘This is so annoying for locals like I just wanted to get around but I got stuck in a massive queue it is so annoying.’

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