Thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who reminded us of this incredible bison who survived a lightning strike at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa and earned a nickname that made him famous.
In July 2013 the bison who would later be known as “Sparky” suffered a direct hit during an electrical storm which blew off a large patch of fur, charred his skin and left a nasty looking open wound his hump. Wildlife biologists also noted a large lump on his hind leg which they surmised was an exit wound, indicating Sparky was lying down at the time of the strike.
Wildlife specialists were in awe that he survived the lightning strike which on average contain 30,000 amps of current and up to 300 million volts of electric potential. Park staff kept an eye on Sparky an observed his wounds slowly heal. He never lost mobility although he did walk with a limp.
Sparky went on to live another 5 years and remained part of the social structure of the herd before passing in 2018 at 14 years old. Sparky is remember as a symbol for the endurance for his species.
