Elk NetworkMontana Bull Elk Killed by Lightning

General | July 13, 2018

It was a gruesome discovery that required a little detective work. Jack Austin, a warden captain with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, came across a dead bull elk in east-central Montana. He determined it was probably a victim of natural causes, specifically lightning.

The bull had a protruding eyeball but the more definite clue was singed hair on its head, neck and extending across the shoulder and down the front leg.

Captain Austin determined the eyeball facing toward the sky was gone most likely due to birds but did not realize the other eye popped out until rolling over the animal.

(Photo source: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks)