People often use the word “cow” as an insult, meaning someone is slow or not very smart. This comes from the common belief that farm animals aren’t very clever. But a new study suggests cows might be much smarter than we think.
Scientists say that a remarkable cow named Veronika has demonstrated abilities far more advanced than previously believed in cattle. Veronika is a 13-year-old Swiss Brown cow who lives in the picturesque mountain village of Nötsch in southern Austria. Veronika is a cherished family pet belonging to Witgar Wiegele, who is an organic farmer. He runs a small artisanal bakery. Unlike most cows, she is not raised for milk or meat. She mostly lives in open meadows, surrounded by forests and mountains, and has plenty of space to explore.
Over the years, she has become famous for an unusual habit: using tools to scratch herself. About ten years ago, Witgar noticed Veronika picking up sticks to reach itchy spots on her back. A friend filmed the behaviour and sent the video to Alice Auersperg, a cognitive biologist at the Messerli Research Institute for Human-Animal Interaction in Vienna. She immediately realised that the activity was more than a simple habit; it was an example of measurable tool use, something rarely seen in animals outside of primates like chimpanzees.
Scientists Antonio Osuna-Mascaró and Alice Auersperg travelled to Nötsch to study Veronika. They observed her using sticks and even household objects like brooms and rakes to scratch hard-to-reach areas. Remarkably, she did not just pick up objects randomly. She carefully chose which end of the tool to use depending on the part of her body. For tough areas like her back, she used the bristled end of a broom. For softer areas, such as her belly or underbelly, she used the smooth handle end. She even used different techniques for different regions: broad, sweeping motions for her back and careful, focused movements for her lower body.
This kind of flexible tool use is very rare in animals. Up until now, we have only seen chimpanzees regularly using tools like sticks to catch insects or stones to crack nuts. Using one object in many ways shows advanced thinking and planning. It also suggests cows might be much smarter than people think. Researchers say Veronika’s intelligence may come from her unique life. She has lived a long time, with lots of space, human contact, and different objects to play with. Most cows don’t have this kind of environment, which could explain why other cows don’t show this behaviour. Auersperg says humans often underestimate animal intelligence because of how we treat them and what we notice. Veronika’s discovery is also a funny twist on a 1982 “Far Side” comic, which imagined a cow trying to use tools. For years, the idea of cows using tools seemed impossible. Now, Veronika proves cows can be skilled, adaptable, and capable of planning. For her owner, her talent is more than just science; it’s amazing.
Witgar Wiegele hopes that her behaviour will inspire people to appreciate and protect nature. “Save the nature, then you protect yourself. Nature diversity is the key to survive on this planet,” he says. This discovery is changing the way scientists and the public think about cows. Rather than seeing them simply as farm animals, Veronika reminds us that they have the potential for intelligence and creativity when given the right environment. Who knows? With the right opportunities, more cows might surprise us with their abilities in the future.
This study was published in Current Biology journal
