Wildlife Agency Warns Drivers to Watch for Deer

Wildlife Emergency Response, a nonprofit wild animal protection agency, is warning motorists of an increase in deer sightings, leading to an upsurge in vehicular accidents.

In the last two weeks, two motorists and one motorcycle driver have collided with deer, said Rebecca Dmytryk, the agency’s executive director.

Deer sightings have been especially plentiful in Malibu Canyon, with motorists reportedly swerving at the last minute on narrow roads to avoid the animals, she said. A motorist similarly ran into a deer that was crossing Pacific Coast Highway near the Malibu pier, she said.

“Usually, deer stay in the canyons, and do not venture on [the highway],” said a spokeswoman with the Sheriff’s Department, who said the crash was the first such accident that she had heard of on that highway.

Dmytryk speculated that more deer are venturing onto heavily traveled highways because of increased activity associated with the coming breeding season. Also, an increase in the amount of grasses on which the deer feed may have resulted in higher deer populations, she said.