Half a Million Honeybees Killed in Dutch Fire Incident.
A beekeeper from the Netherlands has voiced dismay after his 10 beehives were set ablaze in a public garden in the central city of Almere, resulting in the death of an approximated half a million bees.
The beekeeper mentioned that every colony housed a population of 40-60,000 bees, and the thought that someone could kill them was devastating.
"It is deeply painful that my ten colonies have perished," he told regional media.
Police in Almere, located to the east of Amsterdam, have appealed for observers after the arson attack on Tuesday evening in the city's scenic Beatrixpark. They posted images of the blaze on social media.
The Dutch government reports that more than half of the country's 360 types of bee are at threat of extinction, as the population of bees decreases around the world.
Mr Stringer explained that authorities had informed him an accelerant had been used to ignite the colonies, which were placed on wooden platforms in a wooded part of the park.
Almost none of the insects made it through and he said that he had little faith the perpetrator would be apprehended.
Fellow beekeeper Heleen Nieman told Dutch radio that she had three bee colonies and planned to donate a colony.
For the beekeeper, who looked after the colonies for about almost a decade, the incident means building a new colony in the area from scratch.
But he insists he will continue his efforts.
Related Incidents
- 'One Million Bees' Lost in Hives Arson Attack.
