Bizarre wildlife news out of Montana: Eight bighorn sheep rams were killed by a single lightning strike that occurred sometime during the past 10 days.
The bolt struck a Ponderosa pine on Wild Horse Island in Flathead Lake. Six rams were found within a 15-foot circle of the tree, and two others were located nearby, according to a spokesman for the state's Fish, Wildlife & Parks department.
Capt. Lee Anderson, an FWP warden, told the Billings Gazette that several rams had burns on their hooves and legs. They ranged in age from 3½ to 8½ years.
Wild Horse Island, which encompasses 2,100 acres, holds about 200 bighorns.
-- Pete Thomas
Bighorn sheep photo courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
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