Lightning strikes dead more than 300 wild reindeer in Norway

August 30, 2016 A lightning strike in Southern Norway’s region has killed more than 300, according to reports from local authorities. The bodies were discovered on Friday by a hunting warden at the located between  and  in. of the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate operations center told, "The deer were found dead in an area 50-80 meters in diameter". Due to an intense thunderstorm on Friday afternoon, Nylend suspects the herd were killed by a lightning strike. The rare incident has left 323 deer dead, including 70 young calves and 5 others needing to be euthanized due to injury. A representative from, , also spoke to the AFP. "There were very strong storms in the area on Friday. The animals stay close together in bad weather and these ones were hit by lightning."

Although the close proximity of the bodies indicate they were killed by a lightning strike, further tests are underway. Samples of the dead animals' blood and tissue will be examined for (CWD), which was detected in both Norwegian reindeer and elk earlier this year. It is still unclear what will happen to the carcasses and if they will be collected and disposed of.