Overview
- Current Biology published a study documenting Veronika, a 13-year-old cow in Carinthia, manipulating a broom to scratch hard-to-reach areas, supported by video evidence.
- In 70 trials conducted by University of Vienna biologists, she lifted the broom with her tongue and positioned it to target specific spots on her body.
- She used the brush end on tougher regions and the wooden handle near sensitive areas like the udder, a flexible tool use previously reported only in humans and chimpanzees.
- Veronika belongs to the Original Braunvieh (Montafoner strain), her case has drawn international attention, and imagery is credited to VetMedUni’s Messerli Research Institute.
- Stefan Martin of the Arbeitskreis Original Braunvieh doubts a breed link, pointing to age and learning, and reports suggest observers in Vorarlberg may look for similar behavior among roughly 1,000 Montafoner cattle.