Watch CBS News

Deer To Be Tranquilized, Collared Near Peninsula Freeway

SAN MATEO COUNTY (KCBS) – The California Department of Transportation is warning drivers that they might see a strange sight this weekend as they are traveling on Interstate 280 on the Peninsula.

It's all part of a continuing deer survey, which requires rangers with the Department of Fish and Game to tranquilize 30 deer.

Rangers are trying to immobilize the deer in order to put tracking collars on them. So they'll be in the back of trucks with dart guns.

KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:

Caltrans spokeswoman Gidget Navarro said drivers shouldn't be shocked as they will be able to see them from the highway.

"The guns will be sticking out. We don't want people to be afraid and think, what the heck's going on? Why are there guns in the back of the truck?" said Navarro. "The Department of Fish and Game wanted motorists to be alert that if they see them, they are dart guns and they are for the deer study."

This is the second phase of the $300,000 Caltrans, UC Davis and Department of Fish and Game study, which is looking at the behavioral patterns of deer along the Peninsula to cut down on accidents.

Between 2005 and 2009, there were 50 accidents with deer with three people injured.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.