A clever cow in Austria is showing us that with the right environment and a bit of curiosity, anyone can learn to use tools—even a bovine!
For a long time, many people thought that only humans and chimpanzees were smart enough to use tools. But a 13-year-old cow named Veronika is changing everything scientists thought they knew about animal intelligence.
Living in the beautiful town of Nötsch im Gailtal, Austria, Veronika has spent her life in a stimulating and loving environment. Her owner, Witgar Wiegele, noticed something amazing: Veronika wasn't just grazing; she was playing! She started picking up sticks to scratch those hard-to-reach itchy spots on her back.
From sticks to brushes: A Lesson in Learning
When scientists from Vienna heard about Veronika, they decided to see just how smart she really was. They gave her a large deck brush (the kind used to scrub floors) to see what she would do.
Veronika didn’t just nudge the brush; she used it like a pro!
- Problem Solving: If the brush was at a bad angle, she used her tongue to move it until she could grip it perfectly with her teeth.
- Dexterity: She used the scratchy bristles for the tough skin on her back.
- Gentleness: When she wanted to scratch her belly or more delicate areas, she actually flipped the brush over and used the smooth handle instead!
Talent is Made, Not Born
This "multi-purpose" tool use is incredibly rare in the animal kingdom. Dr. Antonio Osuna Mascaró, one of the lead scientists in Granada (Spain) and Vienna (Austria), noted that we have likely ignored the potential of cows for thousands of years.
Veronika’s story is a great reminder for parents and educators: Intelligence is more than just a trait you are born with—it is a potential that can be unlocked by experience, curiosity, and a stimulating environment. Just like Veronika, when children (and even cows!) are given the freedom to explore and the "tools" to succeed, they can do things we never imagined possible.
Picture: Veronika the cow is scratching her back (Gemini)
