Researchers say a brown Swiss cow in Austria may be forcing science to reconsider what it means to be the smartest cow.
The animal, named Veronika, lives in the rural region of Carinthia. Scientists have now documented her using an object as a tool to solve a physical problem, making her the first known cow observed doing so under controlled study conditions.
The finding challenges long-held views that cattle lack advanced problem-solving abilities. It also places Veronika in a small group of animals known to use tools in flexible and deliberate ways.
Using a tool with a purpose
Researchers observed Veronika picking up an object and using it to scratch parts of her body she could not reach on her own. The behavior was repeated and consistent.
Scientists say the cow did not act randomly. She selected the object, positioned it, and adjusted her movements depending on where she needed to scratch. The actions showed intent rather than trial and error.
Tool use is often linked to advanced cognition. Until now, it was not believed that cows possessed this ability. Veronika’s behavior suggests that the assumption may be incomplete.
A cow with strong social awareness
Observers also report that Veronika recognizes familiar human voices. When called by people she knows, she moves toward them quickly, even when others are nearby.
Researchers say the combination of tool use and voice recognition challenges the idea that cows are passive or cognitively simple animals. Previous studies have shown cattle can remember individuals, form social bonds, and react emotionally to changes in their environment.
Veronika’s behavior adds a new layer to that research and strengthens the case for more complex mental abilities in cattle.
From video footage to controlled experiments
The behavior first caught scientific attention after it was filmed and shared with Alice Auersperg, a researcher at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. “When I saw the footage, it was immediately clear that this was not accidental,” Auersperg said.
She and her colleague, Antonio Osuna-Mascaró, later traveled to observe Veronika in person. They carried out a series of controlled trials using a deck brush placed on the ground in different positions.
Across repeated sessions, Veronika consistently chose the part of the tool best suited to the area she was scratching. Upper-body scratching involved wide and forceful movements. Lower-body scratching was slower and more precise. Researchers say the adjustments showed deliberate control and anticipation of outcomes.
What makes this case scientifically rare
Osuna-Mascaró said the behavior qualifies as flexible, multi-purpose tool use. That means different features of the same object are used for different goals. “Veronika is not just using an object to scratch herself,” he said. “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.”
Outside humans, this type of flexibility is documented in relatively few species. Great apes, such as chimpanzees, are considered the most sophisticated tool users.
Why this cow may be different
Researchers suggest Veronika’s life circumstances may have played a role. Most cows do not live as long or experience as complex an environment.
Veronika has had daily contact with humans and access to a varied physical landscape. Scientists say those conditions may have encouraged exploration and problem-solving.
The study, published on January 19 in Current Biology, represents the first documented case of tool use in cattle. Researchers now hope other farmers will report similar observations. They believe the smartest cow may not be alone — just overlooked.
