Pet cow in Austria shows flexible tool use, study finds

A pet cow named Veronika in Austria has been documented using a broom to scratch different parts of her body, researchers reported in a study published in Current Biology, marking the first scientific description of tool use in cattle. Scientists led by Alice Auersperg and postdoctoral researcher Antonio Osuna-Mascaró presented a deck-cleaning broom to Veronika across 70 trials over multiple days; she used the broom 76 times, typically gripping the handle with her tongue and teeth.

The cow usually rubbed the bristled end along her back and used the wooden handle to prod softer areas such as her udder and belly flaps, behavior the team linked to soothing bites from horseflies. Veronikas owner, Witgar Wiegele, told the researchers he had not taught her and had observed her picking up sticks to scratch herself for about a decade.

Dr. Auersperg said "We use them as a synonym for silliness and stupidity," and noted that Veronikas life as a 13-year-old pet in a stimulating environment may have given her the opportunity to develop the behaviour. Dr. Osuna-Mascar said the handle use showed "a way more careful approach," suggesting the choice of broom end was meaningful rather than accidental.

Christian Nawroth, who was not involved in the research, called the case "very convincing" and said he hoped the study would prompt people to rethink perceptions of farm animals. The authors pointed to anecdotal reports and online videos of other cattle using branches, and Dr.

Key Topics

Science, Veronika, Austria, Cattle, Current Biology, Alice Auersperg