In the mountain pastures of Austria, a cow named Veronika has captured global attention for an unexpected display of intelligence. The Swiss Brown cow has gone viral after being filmed using a stick to scratch her body, a behaviour that has never before been documented in cattle.
The footage shows Veronika carefully using both ends of the same object to relieve different itches. Instead of relying on just one side, she switches between the bristled end for broader areas on her back and the smooth handle for more sensitive spots, including her underbelly.
The unusual behaviour caught the attention of researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna after the video circulated online. Scientists initially assumed the cow would only use the brush end, but her deliberate and flexible approach quickly challenged that assumption.
Such adaptable tool use is considered extremely rare in animals and is most famously associated with chimpanzees, which have been observed using both ends of sticks while foraging. Seeing a cow demonstrate a comparable level of problem-solving has surprised experts and delighted animal enthusiasts.
Researchers believe Veronika’s behaviour is less about exceptional intelligence and more about opportunity. As a well-cared-for animal with ample space, regular human interaction, and freedom from commercial farming pressures, she has had time to explore and experiment. At 13 years old, she is also far older than most cattle, giving her years to refine these habits.
Her owner, Witgar Wiegele, first noticed the behaviour more than a decade ago but only later shared a video that brought it to public attention. Once scientists saw the footage, they recognised the importance of observing her directly.
The discovery challenges long-held assumptions about livestock intelligence. Researchers suggest cows may be far more capable of innovation than previously believed, but their environments rarely allow such abilities to surface. Veronika’s viral moment serves as a reminder that, given the chance, even animals we think we understand can still surprise us.
