Featured Image Credit: TV2 Norway
Shocking images have appeared showing hundreds of reindeer killed by lighting in southern Norway when thunderstorms hit Hardangervidda National Park.
The Norwegian Environment Agency has released images of the reindeer carcasses and says 323 animals were killed, including 70 calves.
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A lightning storm on Friday was the cause of the tragedy. Five of the reindeer were not killed during the storm, but had to be put down later due to their injuries.
WARNING: Distressing images
Image credit: Norwegian Environment Agency
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The National Park is a popular destination for tourists, featuring one of the country's largest glaciers.
Elin Fosshaug Olsø, a spokeswoman for the Norwegian Environment Agency, said: "Our people in the field have found 323 dead reindeer, of which five had to be put down due to injuries.
"We believe all reindeer were killed as a result of one single powerful lightning strike, because of the way they were positioned. We have never experienced such a large number of reindeer killed by lightning at the same time before. This is as far as we know a unique incident."
Image credit: TV2 Norway
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Thousands of reindeer migrate across the barren Hardanangervidda plateau as the seasons change.
The BNO news website claims the number of animals that have died is thought to the largest number of animals killed by lightning since records began.
Although such incidents are uncommon, 68 cows were killed in 2005 when a single bolt of lightning struck a tree at a dairy farm in Australia, according to Guinness World Records.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Norway