Single bolt of lightning kills 21 cows huddled around metal feeder

Lightning can be beautiful—but it's also occasionally deadly.

Such was the case for 21 cows at an unidentified ranch in McCook County, South Dakota, on the night of May 26, reports Argus Leader.

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The cattle were all gathered around the same metal bale feeder when a single bolt of lightning struck—killing them all.

An image posted to Facebook by the Moody County Sheriff's Office shows the morbid aftermath.

It's estimated that a mass death of this magnitude equates to roughly $45,000 worth of loss.

Authorities are now warning citizens to stay safe and steer clear of spots where lightning might strike during a storm.