In the Hardangervidda National Park in western Norway, a very mysterious event took place that scientists cannot explain. Three hundred eighteen deer were found dead within a radius of fifty meters. Five more artiodactyls were critically injured, so they had to be euthanized. According to representatives of the park, it was probably a powerful lightning bolt that hit a large flock of animals.
The reindeer were discovered by local huntsman Elin Fosshang Olsé. The startled forester immediately notified the officials of the mysterious incident, but experts were able to arrive at the scene only two days later. The huntsman himself made the decision to save the five wounded animals from torment, when he determined that it was not possible to save them. Artiodactyls received extensive electrical burns, making it clear that they were struck by an incredibly powerful lightning. It had just rained in the region, and the land on which the animals were running was very wet, so it could easily carry the charge over such an impressive distance.
Experts, who had never encountered such a phenomenon before, concluded that this was the largest case of an animal being struck by lightning. The previous anti-record belongs to an Australian farm, where in 2005 sixty-eight cows died in a similar way. The incident, according to scientists, is not only unique, but also requires further study. It is possible that these were ball lightning, which, as you know, have a kind of consciousness and are able to pursue potential victims.
By the way, the Hardangervidda National Park, which has an area of slightly less than three and a half thousand square kilometers, is considered a place that attracts unidentified flying objects. From time to time, strange lights sweeping across the sky are noticed here. This led some to believe that it was not just lightning that could kill the deer.