In a recent study, scientists Antonio Osuna-Mascaró and Alice Auersperg were captivated by a video showcasing Veronika, a cow using a branch to scratch her back. Intrigued by this rare behavior in cows, the cognitive biologists from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna immediately set out to meet her in southern Austria.
Upon meeting Veronika, they were astounded by her adeptness in utilizing a broom to relieve her itches in various ways. Their research, which was published in the journal Current Biology, challenges conventional beliefs about cow intelligence, highlighting the dexterity and ingenuity displayed by Veronika.
Living as a beloved pet in a mountain village in Austria, 13-year-old brown Swiss cow Veronika has been observed using branches to scratch herself for nearly a decade. Her owner, Witgar Wiegele, noted her preference for different-sized branches to reach different parts of her body effectively.
Veronika’s impressive demonstration of tool use has sparked debates among scientists regarding the cognitive capabilities of animals. While some argue it reflects advanced cognition, others attribute it to instinctual behavior. Regardless, documented instances of tool use in animals, like dolphins using shells to catch fish or crows crafting tools for specific tasks, are becoming increasingly common.
The study on Veronika sheds light on the often underestimated cognitive abilities of livestock animals. This research underscores a shift in understanding the animal kingdom, reminiscent of Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking work on chimpanzees’ tool use, challenging the notion that tool use is uniquely human.