Tool-using cow shows skill not limited to humans and chimpanzees • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Tool Use: The act of an animal employing an external object to achieve a goal.
• Multi-Purpose Tool Use: Utilizing a single tool for different functions or body parts, demonstrating adaptability and understanding of tool properties.
• Animal Cognition: The mental capacities of animals, including problem-solving, learning, and intelligence.
• Innovation (in animals): The spontaneous development of a new behavior or technique, like tool use, within an animal population.

Cow Tool Use: A Novel Discovery & Implications for Animal Intelligence

The video details the groundbreaking observation of tool use in a 13-year-old Austrian cow named Veronica. This marks the first documented instance of a cow intentionally using tools to alleviate itching, a behavior previously only consistently observed in humans and chimpanzees. The global cattle population is estimated at 1.5 billion, yet tool use has remained undocumented until now, surprising researchers dedicated to the study of animal minds.

Veronica’s Tool Use Behavior: Details & Development

Veronica’s tool use began nine years ago with her independently discovering the benefit of scratching with fallen tree branches. Over time, she refined her technique, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of tool functionality. Crucially, Veronica exhibits multi-purpose tool use. Researchers noted she selectively chooses which end of a tool – a broom, brush, or stick – to use based on the body part being scratched. Specifically, she utilizes the bristle end for scratching her back and the smooth handle end for her underbelly, indicating a sensitivity to texture and an understanding of how different tool properties provide different sensations. This isn’t random contact; it’s a deliberate selection process.

Comparative Analysis & Significance

The discovery is significant because it challenges pre-conceived notions about bovine intelligence. As stated in the video, “There are around 1.5 billion of cows and bulls in the world, and we are only now starting to recognize that they are able to use tools. And this is shocking to us, even for us, people who dedicate their lives to study animal minds and tool use.” Prior to this, tool use in cattle was unknown despite millennia of co-existence with humans. The only other species consistently demonstrating multi-purpose tool use are humans and chimpanzees, placing Veronica’s behavior in a unique and noteworthy category.

Implications for Animal Cognition & Future Research

Researchers suggest that Veronica’s case indicates cows are likely more intelligent than previously believed. The video posits that other cattle may possess the capacity for similar skill development if provided with the opportunity. This suggests that environmental factors and access to potential tools may play a crucial role in unlocking cognitive abilities in cattle. The concluding statement, “Meaning Veronica and her friends may prove to be the sharpest tools on the farm,” highlights the potential for further discoveries regarding animal intelligence and the underestimated cognitive capabilities of livestock.