Why do African forest elephants visit salt licks and mineral-rich waterholes?

African forest elephants visit salt licks and mineral-rich waterholes primarily to obtain essential salt and other minerals that are insufficient in their regular diet of fruits, bark, and other plant materials.1

To access these necessary nutrients, the elephants may consume the soil directly—a behavior known as geophagy—or visit specific forest clearings and waterholes, often referred to as bais in Central Africa, which they have excavated using their tusks. This dietary supplementation is vital for maintaining their health, as their primary food sources often lack the sodium required by these large mammals.12