California Study Aims to Reduce Deer Hit by Cars on Freeway

Researchers are hoping a project that includes capturing and tracking deer will cut down on the number of deer being hit by cars on Interstate 280 outside of San Francisco, Calif.

As part of a two-year project, on Dec. 2 the state Department of Fish and Game will begin helping UC-Davis researchers capture deer along a stretch of the freeway from Millbrae to the Woodside area.

Some of the deer will be shot with tranquilizer darts, while others will be caught in large netting enclosures.

The captured deer will be fitted with GPS collars that will allow researchers to track their movements.

It’s hoped the study will allow researchers understand how wildlife are moving through the area, and reduce the number of collisions between vehicles and deer on the freeway.