Tragedy as 300 reindeer drop dead after ENORMOUS mass lightning strike
MORE than 300 wild reindeer have been killed in Norway in a freak accident.
The bodies of some 300 wild reindeer cover the hillside on Hardangervidda mountain plateau in Norway
Gameskeepers have been left in shock after discovering the bodies of 323 wild deer, including 70 calves.
The tragic deaths have been linked to a thunderstorm which battered the Hardangervidda region in Norway on Friday.
Another five deer had to be put down as a result of injuries they sustained in the storm.
The herd was probably struck dead by the lightning
The Norwegian Nature Inspectorate said the death of the deer, whose bodies were reportedly charred by lightning strikes, was “unusually high”.
Knut Nylend, a spokesman for the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate, said the reindeer probably died in such high numbers because they were standing close to each other.
He said: "There was an especially heavy thunderstorm in the afternoon. The herd was probably struck dead by the lightning.
Lightning Strike Kills More Than 300 Wild Reindeer In Norway
The tragic deaths have been linked to a thunderstorm
"This is very special. I've heard of cattle being killed by lightning, but not in such huge volumes."
There are normally up to 2,000 deer in the Hardangervidda region.
Norway’s Environment Agency has launched an investigation into the incident.
The herd was probably struck dead by the lightning
70 calves were also killed in the thunderstorm
The animals will be studied and screened for Chronic Wasting Disease, after a number of animals in the region were diagnosed with the illness.
It is the second time in two days that a large group of animals have been struck by lightning.
38 sheep died when they were caught in a thunderstorm in the Indian district of Kanchipuram.