The cow surprised the scientists with the unusual use of the tool

Scientists are rethinking what cows can do after an Austrian cow named Veronika was found using tools with extraordinary skill.

The discovery, reported by researchers in Vienna, suggests that cows have greater cognitive abilities than previously thought.

Veronika, a cow who lives in a mountain village in the Austrian countryside, has spent years perfecting the art of digging herself out using sticks, rakes, and brooms.

Word of her behavior eventually reached animal intelligence specialists in Vienna, who found that Veronika was using both ends of the same thing for different tasks.

If his back or another hard part needs a good scratch, he will use the bristle end of the broom.

When a gentle touch is needed, such as her sensitive stomach, she uses the smooth end of the handle.

This type of tool use is rarely seen in the animal kingdom and has never been documented in cattle.

Dr Antonio Osuna-Mascaro of the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna said: “We didn’t expect cows to be able to use tools, and we didn’t expect a cow to use a tool as a multipurpose tool. Until now this has always been reported in chimpanzees.”

Chimpanzees show the most diverse range of tool use besides humans. They use sticks to get ants and termites, and stones to crack nuts.

However, despite about 10,000 years of humans living alongside cows, this is the first time scientists have documented a cow using a tool.

The researchers say their discovery shows that cows are smarter than we thought and that other cows can develop similar skills, if given the chance.

As for Veronika’s owner, organic farmer Witgar Wiegele, he hopes that his unexpected talents will inspire people to value the natural world.

As he said: “Save nature, then you will protect yourself. Diversity is the key to survival on this planet.”

The study was published in the journal Current Biology.