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Dartmoor visitors warned to stay away from cows during calving

1 November 2025

Dartmoor National Park Association Ella Breins stood to the right of a post with two signs on it. She is looking at the sign and is wearing a black jumper, gilet and trousers. Behind the post is the moors. — Dartmoor National Park Association is asking visitors to keep a safe distance from cows and their calves

People are being urged to stay away from cows and give them space during calving season.

Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) revealed there had been cases of people putting their children on the back of calves.

Deputy head ranger Ella Breins said they did not like putting signs up on Dartmoor but they only do it if they had “genuine concern”.

The signs advise visitors to “stay at least one bus length away from mummy cows and their babies”.

Ms Breins said: “You’ll see fluffy beautiful calves up there but what often happens [is] the mother will have calved and the calf might be in what she thinks is a protected space.

“The mother will go off grazing away from her calf – what we don’t want is for people to be unaware of that and accidentally walk between a mother cow and a calf.

“It’s all about giving animals space and respect and keeping as safe distance as you can.”

The authority said there had been cases of parents putting their children on the back of calves

Dartmoor National Park Association A warning sign on Dartmoor to the left. There is a green triangle with a black explanation mark in it on the left, and a yellow section with the words "Cows and their babies here". Below it says "Please stay at least one bus length away from mummy cows and their babies". There is a picture of a cow below the triangle warning sign. — The authority said there had been cases of parents putting their children on the back of calves

Richard Drysdale, the authority’s director of conservation and communities, said the campaign runs until Christmas.

He said: “For many people, it might be the first time they come across the cows out on the open moor.

“They’re very happy with people passing by and giving them a respectful distance but, like any mother, they don’t want you to be coming up close or trying to take photos.”

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