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Cow Demonstrates Advanced Tool Use, Challenging Intelligence Perceptions

1/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A study from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna finds that Veronika, a cow in Austria, demonstrates advanced tool use by scratching herself with a stick.
Researchers observed Veronika using different ends of the tool for various body parts, indicating flexible tool use.
Anthea Harrison, a hobby farmer in South Australia, supports the findings, and the study argues that cows may have intelligence comparable to pets.

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Story summary

A study from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna finds that Veronika, a cow in Austria, demonstrates advanced tool use by scratching herself with a stick.
Researchers observed Veronika using different ends of the tool for various body parts, indicating flexible tool use.
Anthea Harrison, a hobby farmer in South Australia, supports the findings, and the study argues that cows may have intelligence comparable to pets.