Austrian Researchers Document First Tool-Using Cow, Challenging Assumptions About Livestock Intelligence
VIENNA, Austria — In a discovery that could reshape our understanding of farm animal intelligence, researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna have documented the first known case of a cow using tools. The subject, a Swiss brown cow named Veronika, has been observed using sticks and brushes to scratch different parts of her body with remarkable dexterity and purpose.
Veronika, owned by Carinthia resident Witgar Wiegele, first began picking up pieces of wood about a decade ago. Over time, her behavior evolved to include the use of a long brush, which she manipulates with apparent intention. Notably, she uses the brush end to scratch areas where her skin is thickest and the handle end for more sensitive regions. This nuanced use of a single tool for multiple functions is unprecedented in bovines.
Researchers Alice Auersperg and Antonio Osuna-Mascaró personally visited Veronika to study her behavior in detail. Auersperg, a cognitive biologist at the university, emphasized the significance of the observations, stating, “The findings highlight how assumptions about livestock intelligence may reflect gaps in observation rather than genuine cognitive limits.” She added that the footage made it immediately clear that Veronika’s actions were intentional and meaningful, not accidental.
Osuna-Mascaró, a post-doctoral researcher, explained, “We show that a cow can engage in genuinely flexible tool use. Veronika is not just using an object to scratch herself. She uses different parts of the same tool for different purposes, and she applies different techniques depending on the function of the tool and the body region.”
The research team published their findings in the journal Current Biology, highlighting how this discovery challenges long-held perceptions of farm animals. The behavior evokes a famous 1982 Gary Larson comic titled “Cow Tools,” which humorously depicted a cow with bizarre and useless implements. The researchers noted, “Veronika did not fashion tools like the cow in Gary Larson’s cartoon, but she selected, adjusted, and used one with notable dexterity and flexibility.”
Such revelations about animal cognition resonate with broader scientific efforts to reassess intelligence across species. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has long overseen livestock welfare, but studies like this could influence future guidelines by underscoring the cognitive capacities of farm animals.
Moreover, this discovery aligns with ongoing research into animal behavior documented by organizations such as the National Agricultural Library, which supports studies on animal welfare and cognition. Understanding tool use in cows may lead to improved enrichment practices on farms, fostering environments that cater to their mental and physical needs.
Veronika’s case also invites a broader conversation about how humans perceive and interact with domesticated animals. The Animal Welfare Information Center emphasizes that recognizing complex behaviors in livestock can enhance welfare standards and promote more humane treatment.
As this research gains attention, it may prompt farmers, scientists, and policymakers to reconsider the intellectual lives of animals traditionally viewed through a narrow lens. Veronika’s story is a compelling reminder that intelligence manifests in diverse and sometimes unexpected ways, even among creatures as familiar as cows.
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