Half a Million Bees Perish in Netherlands Deliberate Blaze.
A Dutch beekeeper has voiced dismay after his 10 beehives were set ablaze in a park in the central city of Almere, causing the death of an estimated 500,000 bees.
The beekeeper stated that every colony housed a population of forty to sixty thousand bees, and the idea that anyone could kill them was horrific.
"It is deeply painful that my 10 hives have died," he told local broadcaster.
Law enforcement in Almere, located to the east of Amsterdam, have requested witnesses after the arson attack on Tuesday night in the city's picturesque Beatrixpark. They shared pictures of the fire on online platforms.
The Dutch government reports that over 50% of the nation's 360 species of bee are at risk of extinction, as the number of bees declines around the world.
The beekeeper said that police had informed him an accelerant had been employed to burn the hives, which were placed on pallets in a forested area of the garden.
Barely any of the insects made it through and he noted that he had doubt the arsonist would be caught.
Another apiarist Heleen Nieman stated on Dutch radio that she had three bee colonies and planned to donate one of them.
For the beekeeper, who cared for the colonies for about almost a decade, the incident means building a new colony in the park from the beginning.
But he insists he will continue his efforts.
Similar Events
- 'One Million Bees' Killed in Deliberate Hive Fire.
