A groundbreaking scholarly article, released today in the esteemed journal Current Biology, presents novel findings from the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna. The research provides the inaugural experimental validation that a bovine (Bos taurus) is capable of employing a solitary implement for diverse functions, strategically selecting distinct portions of it contingent upon the specific objective. Veronika, a pet Swiss Brown cow who served as the study’s focal subject, mastered the manipulation of a deck scrub broom to alleviate itching in bodily areas that were otherwise inaccessible. Through a series of meticulously designed experimental conditions, it was observed that her interaction with the object was far from haphazard; rather, she demonstrated the capacity to modify her approach based on the tactile sensitivity of the anatomical region being addressed.
Veronika’s tooling technique. Image credit: Antonio Osuna-Mascaró & Alice Auersperg, doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.11.059.
Veronika is not raised for agricultural production of either meat or dairy. She is a long-lived Swiss Brown cow maintained as a companion animal by Witgar Wiegele, an organic farmer and baker who holds a profound respect for animals and considers her an integral member of his household.
More than a decade ago, Mr. Wiegele observed Veronika engaging in rudimentary tool use, picking up sticks to aid in self-grooming.
“These discoveries underscore how preconceived notions regarding the intellectual capabilities of livestock may stem from observational deficiencies rather than inherent cognitive limitations,” remarked Dr. Alice Auersperg, a specialist in cognitive biology affiliated with the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna.
Within a controlled experimental framework, Dr. Auersperg, in collaboration with her colleague Dr. Antonio Osuna-Mascaró, introduced a deck brush to the experimental area in an arbitrary orientation.
The researchers meticulously documented which extremity of the tool Veronika selected and the specific part of her anatomy she aimed to groom.
Across multiple experimental repetitions, it was ascertained that her selections were consistent and demonstrably appropriate for the anatomical regions she was targeting.
“Our findings substantiate that a bovine exhibits genuine capacity for adaptable tool utilization,” stated Dr. Osuna-Mascaró.
“Veronika’s actions transcend merely using an object for scratching.”
“She leverages diverse segments of the same implement for distinct purposes and employs varied methodologies dictated by the tool’s function and the specific corporal area being addressed.”
The scientific team discovered that Veronika habitually favors the bristled terminus of a deck brush when attending to broad, firm bodily surfaces such as her back.
Conversely, when addressing more delicate and sensitive zones on her lower physique, she transitions to utilizing the smooth wooden handle.
Furthermore, she demonstrates variability in her manipulation of the tool.
The movements employed by Veronika for grooming her upper body are characterized by sweeping, robust strokes, whereas her lower-body grooming actions are executed with greater deliberation, gentleness, and precise control.
Tool use is formally defined as the mediated manipulation of an external artifact to achieve a predefined objective through mechanical interaction.
The study’s authors concluded that Veronika’s behavior not only fulfills this definition but also advances it, characterizing it as flexible, multi-purpose tool deployment, signifying the utilization of varied attributes of a single object to attain discrete functional outcomes.
Such sophisticated, multi-purpose tool use is exceedingly uncommon and, beyond the realm of human subjects, has been rigorously substantiated in only chimpanzees until this present investigation.
“Given that she applies the tool to her own body, this constitutes an egocentric form of tool application, which is generally considered less complex than tool use directed towards external entities,” explained Dr. Osuna-Mascaró.
“Simultaneously, she contends with palpable physical restrictions, necessitating her manipulation of the tools via her mouth.”
“The remarkable aspect is her adeptness at overcoming these constraints, preempting the consequences of her actions and meticulously adjusting both her grip and her motor sequences accordingly.”
_____
Antonio J. Osuna-Mascaró & Alice M.I. Auersperg. 2026. Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow. Current Biology 36 (2): R44-R45; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.11.059
