Hiking Trail Goes Viral for Its Close Animal Encounters. Now the Sanctuary Is Sending the Growing Crowds a Warning

Ranchers in Chino Hills, Calif., are feeling the downside of going viral after a TikTok video sparks a sudden surge of visitors to a hiking trail near an animal sanctuary. What’s meant to be a peaceful place for rescued animals is now drawing crowds hoping for an up-close look.

Helen McCoy Loop is a well-known spot in the area with multiple hiking paths, including the Eucalyptus Trail. But in recent weeks, locals say the vibe changes after a TikTok video featuring the trail racks up nearly 100,000 likes and hundreds of comments.

Per CBS News, the video highlighted the animals hikers can see along the loop, and many of them belong to Red Bucket Rescue and Sanctuary. The sanctuary serves as a forever home to more than 100 horses, donkeys, ponies and other farm animals, whose caretakers say they were saved from abuse over the years.

Susan Peirce, the president of the sanctuary, said the animals’ routines are built around keeping things calm and safe. “The environment that we create for them is one of peace and tranquility and safety,” she told CBS News.

But that tranquility became harder to protect as more families and hikers showed up, hoping for a closer encounter. Peirce sayssaidthe increase in foot traffic has led to visitors trying to interact with the animals in ways that can quickly turn dangerous.

“We’ve had a lot of people wanting to feed the animals carrots, apples and throwing salads over the fence or scaring them,” Peirce told the outlet. She added that some visitors think it’s exciting to watch the animals run, but it “can be really dangerous for the horses and donkeys.”

Peirce says she never expected the trail to suddenly get this kind of attention. She’s now one of several people in the community pushing for visitors to be more mindful of the space and the animals living beside it.

Chino Hills city leaders also responded by sharing a trail etiquette reminder on the city’s website and social media channels. And in an effort to help visitors understand what’s at stake, Peirce and other ranchers put up educational signs near the trail.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

As caretakers work with the city to find ways to better protect the sanctuary, Peirce said she hopes people will stop and think before trying to feed or startle the animals.

PEOPLE has reached out to the sanctuary for comment.