Mount Elgon

African savannah elephants venture into the pitch-black chambers of Kitum Cave on Mount Elgon in Kenya, using their tusks to scrape volcanic rock for sodium, calcium and magnesium. Generations of herds have hollowed out these deep mineral chambers, passing the unusual mining behaviour down through the herd. Footage of the elephants at work is drawing attention to one of nature's most remarkable learned traditions.

In Mount Elgon's Kitum Cave in Kenya, African savannah elephants use their tusks to scrape volcanic rock for sodium, calcium and magnesium. Generations of herds have hollowed out these deep mineral chambers, passing the unusual mining behaviour down through the herd. The story is being shared as a striking example of animal culture and adaptation.