This archive report was first published on 8 October 2019.
Located on the Kenya-Uganda border, Mt Elgon National Park is home to a unique phenomenon – five caves that elephants have transformed into maternity wards.
According to Mr Renson Makheti Wanyonyi, Bungoma County tourism executive, the caves are a safe haven for elephants due to their secure location, abundance of salt for licking, and plenty of food in the surrounding area.
Protected by rangers, the caves are a vital part of the park's ecosystem, with the elephants traveling from neighboring Trans Nzoia County and Uganda to give birth and care for their young ones.
Inside the caves, massive amounts of dried elephant dung have accumulated over time, serving as beds for the elephants, especially during cold nights and in the rainy season.
The caves are surrounded by lush vegetation, with the calves accompanying the adults into the forest to forage once they start walking.
With a gestation period of 22 months, elephant females care for their calves, carrying one at a time and having a five-year break between pregnancies. They can live for 60 to 70 years.
Located next to small streams, the caves provide the elephants with water, while other animals, including bushbucks and buffalos, visit the salt licks in search of essential minerals.
Mr Philip Towett, a tour guide, explained that the caves are part of volcanic rocks that erupted many years ago, forming the minerals that the elephants need.
“The elephants dig the walls of the rock using their tasks and then collect the salt using their trunks. After licking, they go out and drink a lot of water. After sometime, the salt is absorbed in their bodies. The elephants feed on a plant locally known as Ndopoea, which has a slippery substance that helps in digestion. The salt also helps in digestion by smoothening the sides of their stomachs,” Mr Towett said.
With over 240 bird species, including the African crowned eagle, Ross’ turaco, and the red-fronted parrot, Mt Elgon National Park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
However, the park faces challenges, including poor road infrastructure and insecurity, which have scared away investors and tourists. Mr Makheti urged the national government to help secure the mountain and open it up to the world.
