A farmer in Derbyshire is contemplating breeding “less photogenic” cows due to social media influencers and walkers disturbing his herd for selfies, videos, and even yoga sessions. Alex Birch, a cattle farmer, expressed his frustration at the increasing trend of visitors getting too close to his Highland cows, prompting him to consider out-breeding them.

Birch revealed that his cows are constantly disturbed, with instances of people filming yoga videos next to them and taking selfies. The situation has become more prevalent at Baslow Edge in the Peak District, where the Highland cattle graze and have gained popularity on social media. Despite warnings from the Peak District National Park Authority against approaching or taking photos with the cows, Birch observed that the advice is often disregarded.

The farmer, whose family has raised Highland cattle since the 1970s, emphasized that the issue has worsened in recent years, particularly during the pandemic. To address the problem, Birch plans to crossbreed the Highland cows with another hill breed to make them less attractive to visitors.

Highlighting the risks involved, Birch mentioned the potential liability farmers could face if someone gets injured. The Peak District National Park Authority cautioned against hugging cows, citing the dangers, especially when calves are present. Birch stressed that the influx of social media users, particularly on platforms like TikTok, has been a persistent issue for the past four years.

In a broader context, clashes between locals and social media users have been observed in various places, such as a town in Vermont where residents closed a road to deter influencers chasing scenic views. Additionally, instances of individuals disrupting influencers making videos in public have been reported, as some argue that public spaces should be shared without one group dominating the experience.

The challenges posed by social media influencers and the need to maintain safety and respect for local environments are ongoing concerns that communities around the world are grappling with.