Get you up to speed: Tourists Overlook Signs to Snap Selfies with Highland Cows | UK News
Queen Elizabeth Country Park officials have issued warnings as tourists disregard safety advisories, risking encounters with Highland cows on Butser Hill, Hampshire.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park officials reiterate warnings against approaching Highland cows as visitor incidents continue to pose risks on Butser Hill.
Despite warnings from Queen Elizabeth Country Park officials, visitors continue to approach Highland cows at Butser Hill, raising safety and local traffic concerns.
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Tourists are flocking to Butser Hill in Hampshire for selfies with Highland cows, despite warnings to maintain a safe distance. The site officials issued a reminder after increasing incidents of visitors getting too close to the animals.
Officials from Queen Elizabeth Country Park, which manages the area, stressed the need for visitors not to touch or approach the cows for safety reasons. The animals are vital for grazing to maintain the rare scrub and chalk grassland.
Despite these cautions, many visitors, including children, were observed standing just feet away from the cows, raising concerns for their safety. Local residents have reported traffic congestion due to the influx of selfie-seekers, with one neighbour expressing frustration over the disruption caused.
In addition, firefighters were called out recently to rescue three visitors who had become stuck on challenging terrain while searching for the cows. Authorities continue to highlight the potential risks, noting that proper preparation is essential for safely navigating the area.
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Tourists ignore signs to stay back to grab selfies with Highland cows | News UK
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.
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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.
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.’
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.’