$300K Study To Determine Why Deer Become Road Kill On Peninsula Freeway

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- Researchers are spending $300,000 to find out why deer crossing a Bay Area freeway become road kill.

Deer crossing Interstate 280 in the Peninsula hills fail to make it about once a month, killing the deer, seriously damaging vehicles and hurting motorists.

The San Francisco Chronicle says the California Department of Transportation, the state Department of Fish and Game and the University of California, Davis, are trying to learn why some deer don't make it to the other side.

It seems older deer are generally successful in making it across the freeway. The highway slaughter typically involves younger animals.

The research could determine where wildlife tunnels should be built under the freeway or where deer-proof fencing should be installed.

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