Lightning strike kills 97 sheep in Swiss Alps

A powerful lightning strike has tragically killed 97 black-nosed sheep in the Swiss Alps, specifically in the Valais region. The incident occurred overnight on an alpine meadow at an altitude of 2,503 meters on the Eggerhorn.

According to the sheep's owner, the animals were gathered closely together in an enclosure. This practice, while unusual, has become necessary due to the increasing presence of wolves, which threaten the herds. The close proximity of the sheep unfortunately made them vulnerable to the massive electrical discharge.

The lightning strike followed intense thunderstorms that swept across large parts of Switzerland after a prolonged heatwave. The meteorological service SRF Meteo reported an astonishing 26,000 lightning strikes in just a few hours leading up to Thursday evening.

Black-nosed sheep are a distinctive Swiss breed native to the Valais region, known for their curly horns, fluffy white fleece, and black markings around their eyes and muzzle. They are highly valued for their wool and meat and play a crucial role in maintaining the alpine landscape by keeping vegetation short on steep mountain pastures. The deceased animals were transported down from the mountain by helicopter.

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The animals were standing one next to the other in an enclosure, which was unusual before, but today it is necessary for herd protection.