Half a Million Honeybees Perish in Dutch Arson Attack.
A Dutch beekeeper has voiced shock after his ten colonies were burned down in a public garden in the central city of Almere, causing the loss of an approximated half a million bees.
The beekeeper stated that every colony contained a population of 40-60,000 bees, and the idea that someone could destroy them was devastating.
"It is deeply painful that my 10 hives have perished," he informed local broadcaster.
Police in Almere, located to the east of Amsterdam, have appealed for witnesses after the deliberate fire on Tuesday night in the city's picturesque Beatrixpark. They posted pictures of the blaze on social media.
The Netherlands authorities reports that more than half of the nation's 360 species of bee are at threat of dying out, as the population of bees declines globally.
Mr Stringer said that authorities had told him an flammable substance had been employed to ignite the hives, which were placed on pallets in a forested area of the garden.
Almost none of the bees made it through and he noted that he had little faith the perpetrator would be apprehended.
Fellow beekeeper a local beekeeper stated on national radio that she had three hives and wanted to give him a colony.
For the beekeeper, who looked after the colonies for about nine years, the fire means building a fresh hive in the area from the beginning.
But he affirms he will continue his efforts.
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