Wild animals such as roe deer need a variety of minerals to maintain their health and normal body functions. One of the most important is sodium (salt), which animals often do not obtain in sufficient quantities from natural vegetation.

Most plants contain very little sodium, so animals actively search for places where salt and other minerals can be found. These places are known as salt licks.

Salt licks can be natural mineral-rich sites or locations where people provide salt and minerals for wildlife. Animals visit these places to lick soil, rocks or mineral blocks containing the nutrients they need.

Salt and other minerals play an important role in many biological processes. They help regulate fluid balance, support nerve and muscle function, and contribute to digestion and metabolism. Many salt licks also contain minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, zinc and iron, which are important for bone strength, muscle development and antler growth.

That is why wild animals often return to the same salt lick again and again. Their instincts guide them to places where they can obtain the nutrients their bodies need. Sometimes animals even travel several kilometres to reach these mineral-rich sites.

🌿 Hunters understand this and often place salt licks in forests as part of their wildlife management efforts, helping to support the health and wellbeing of wild animals.

Across Europe, hunters are actively involved in many conservation initiatives. The FACE Biodiversity Manifesto (https://www.biodiversitymanifesto.com/) already highlights over 500 projects demonstrating how hunters contribute to habitat restoration, species monitoring and broader biodiversity conservation.