Lightning Strikes Rare Mountain Gorillas

There are about 1,000 mountain gorillas left on planet Earth, and there are four fewer after a lightning strike felled the rare creatures in Uganda, reports the BBC. The three adult females, including a pregnant female, and infant male were discovered in Mgahinga National Park with "gross lesions" on their bodies that were consistent with having been electrocuted. They were part of a larger group of 17; the remaining 13 have been located and are in good condition. The Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration called the deaths a "big loss for the species," with its executive secretary saying that "the potential of the three females for their contribution to the population was immense." The BBC notes that the mountain gorilla was removed from the list of critically endangered species two years ago. (More mountain gorillas stories.)