323 reindeer probably killed by lightning – Sunnmørsposten

A director of the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate went Friday right into an area where dead reindeer lying close together on the ground. In total it is found 323 dead reindeer in a small area south of Hardangervidda Telemark. Five reindeer were killed on the spot.

Probably the flock been struck by lightning when a powerful storm passed over the area Friday.

– They lay dead in a fairly concentrated area. Reindeer are pack animals and are often close together. During a heavy thunderstorm, they may have been even closer together in fear, says Knut Nylend by Norwegian Nature central Skinnarbu in NTB.

Private hunting area

The caretaker found the many animals died in a private hunting area on the plateau between Møsvatn and Kalhovd Telemark. It is well off the beaten track and relatively far away from the nearest trail in the mountains.

People from the Norwegian Nature Inspectorate was in the area Sunday to count and take samples of the animals. They were flown into the inaccessible area.

– We sent up a team of eight people who take samples to be sent to the Institute for research. Then we also know for sure what animals died, said Nylend.

It is not determined whether the dead animals should be left in the terrain or whether they must be removed in any way. This question will Environment Directorate and the FSA together make a decision.

hunting season

There are approximately 10,000 caribou that migrate over an area of ​​8,000 square kilometers on Hardangervidda. Nylend says the caribou are shy and moving around the larger and smaller herds depending on the weather. The hunting season began on August 20 and also puts stamp on animal migration.

– We have heard that animals who have been struck by lightning, have been killed, but I do not remember hearing about that lightning should have killed animals to such an extent. Nor do we know whether it may involve one or more lightning, it will only be speculation, says Nylend.

Hardangervidda is Norway’s largest caribou range. It is issued about 8,000 hunting permits for the area, but Nature Inspectorate estimates that about 30 percent of the issued quota will be taken, which would be consistent with the desired outlet to preserve a viable tribe in the area. (© NTB).