Once Upon a Cow

Among the earliest of domesticated animals, the cow is a familiar beast. But how well do we really know it? In fact, cows have complex social lives, forming emotional bonds, recognizing leadership, functioning as a group, and having varied communication strategies.

Through this exploration of three cows, each living in a very different environment, this documentary reveals the daily life and behaviour of this fascinating animal with highly developed social intelligence. We follow the first hesitant steps of Nougaro, an orphaned calf, and discover how a bond can be created between mother and offspring. We track the adventures of Sterne, a Pie Noir which is about to leave its native island to take part in a prestigious competition, and see how this animal adapts to the stresses of city life. And lastly, we observe Gazelle, a Tarentaise, to understand the subtle links which bind the herd, and the qualities required to lead them through the perilous landscape of the alpine pasture.