500,000 Bees Perish in Netherlands Arson Attack.
A beekeeper from the Netherlands has expressed shock after his 10 beehives were set ablaze in a public garden in the central city of Almere, causing the loss of an estimated half a million bees.
The beekeeper stated that each hive contained a population of 40-60,000 bees, and the idea that someone could destroy them was horrific.
"It is deeply painful that my ten colonies have died," he told local broadcaster.
Police in Almere, located to the east of Amsterdam, have requested observers after the deliberate fire on Tuesday night in the city's scenic Beatrixpark. They posted images of the fire on social media.
The Dutch government says that over 50% of the nation's 360 species of bee are at threat of dying out, as the population of bees decreases globally.
The beekeeper said that authorities had informed him an accelerant had been employed to burn the hives, which were placed on pallets in a forested area of the garden.
Almost none of the insects made it through and he said that he had doubt the arsonist would be caught.
Another apiarist a local beekeeper told national radio that she had three hives and wanted to give him a colony.
For the beekeeper, who cared for the colonies for about nine years, the incident means starting a new colony in the park from scratch.
But he affirms he will continue his efforts.
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