Sierra Scientists Study Deer Migration North Of Truckee

(AP) - Scientists in the Sierra Nevada have started tracking a mule deer herd north of Lake Tahoe with radio collars to try to learn more about their migration patterns and better understand why so many are struck by cars.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says an average of nearly three dozen deer are killed annually on a busy 25-mile stretch of State Highway 89 between Truckee and Loyalton, California.

More than 1,000 have been killed there since 1988.

Biologists recently captured and fitted 13 does with the collars equipped with GPS technology.

Sara Hold, an environmental scientist with the state agency, told the Sierra Sun the new information is intended to make the highway safer for both deer and motorists.