Los Angeles, Jan 6 (DPA) Three biologists working for the California Department of Fish and Game died when their helicopter crashed in remote Sierra foothills south of Yosemite National Park, an agency official said.

The pilot is missing.

The cause of the crash was not known, but reports said that the Bell 206 may have struck a power line.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the three scientists were attempting to estimate the size and health of the local deer population to develop a strategy for herd management.