Meet Veronika: This Austrian cow just made scientific history with first documented tool use

A cow named Veronika learned to use sticks and brushes. (Image: Antonio J Osuna Mascaró)

• Veronika the cow in Austria is the first documented case of tool use in cows.
• She uses sticks and brushes to scratch herself, showing problem-solving skills.
• Her behavior suggests cows have higher intelligence than previously thought.

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Whenever an animal does something extraordinary, it always amazes science. Whether it's a study on chimpanzee or a list of albino animals in the wild. Well, something unique was observed by scientists when Veronika, the cow in Austria, started scratching herself from a tool. This cow's action has made scientists think that maybe we have been underestimating this species.

A Cow’s Clever Trick

A cow named Veronika learned to use sticks and brushes. She scratches herself without any human guidance or assistance. This behavior was observed repeatedly by researchers in Austria. It marks the first documented case of tool use in cows. Her actions reveal surprising intelligence and problem-solving ability.

Veronika is a 13-year-old Swiss Brown cow in Austria. (Image: X/@thisischristina)

Where is Veronika from? 

Veronika is a 13-year-old Swiss Brown cow in Austria. She lives on a small private farm as a beloved pet. Her owners allow her freedom to roam the meadow daily. This free environment gave Veronika the opportunity to experiment cleverly. She often uses sticks, brushes and rakes to scratch herself.

How Veronika did this trick? 

She picks up sticks or a deck brush with her mouth. She uses the bristles for rough areas and handle for delicate spots. Her movements are deliberate, targeting specific itchy body regions carefully. Researchers confirmed this is intentional tool use, not random behavior. Veronika experiments with different objects depending on her scratching needs.

Researchers call her behavior a “first documented tool use” in cows. (Image: Antonio J Osuna Mascaró)

Does Veronika’s Trick Amaze Scientists?

Yes, her behavior amazed researchers observing her consistently over months. She picks up objects deliberately with her mouth to scratch. The movement is precise, targeting specific itchy areas effectively. Scientists confirmed her actions meet the definition of tool use. Cows had never been documented doing this intentionally before now.

“Imagine the tools a cow would make.” https://t.co/49qqDXF01spic.twitter.com/YgVXr8C6rz

— Christina Agapakis (@thisischristina) January 19, 2026

The Cow that Goes Viral Worldwide

Veronika’s clever scratching behavior is spreading rapidly online worldwide. Videos and photos of her using sticks are widely shared. Alice Auersperg and Antonio Osuna-Mascaro from the University of Veterinarian Medicine in Vienna recorded and analyzed Veronika's behavior. Animal lovers and scientists alike are celebrating her unique skill. She is now a global symbol of unexpected animal intelligence.

How Science Sees This? 

Researchers call her behavior a “first documented tool use” in cows. It suggests cows possess higher cognitive skills than previously assumed. The study was published in the journal Current Biology recently. Scientists think freedom and enriched environments encourage problem-solving in animals. Veronika challenges assumptions about livestock intelligence and animal behavior broadly.