Half a Million Bees Perish in Dutch Fire Incident.
A beekeeper from the Netherlands has expressed shock after his ten colonies were set ablaze in a park in the city of Almere, causing the loss of an estimated half a million bees.
Harold Stringer stated that every colony contained a population of 40-60,000 bees, and the idea that anyone could destroy them was devastating.
"It really hurts that my ten colonies have perished," he told local broadcaster.
Law enforcement in Almere, which sits to the northeast of Amsterdam, have appealed for observers after the arson attack on Tuesday evening in the city's picturesque Beatrixpark. They posted pictures of the blaze on social media.
The Dutch government reports that over 50% of the nation's 360 types of bee are at risk of dying out, as the number of bees declines around the world.
The beekeeper explained that authorities had informed him an flammable substance had been employed to burn the colonies, which were placed on pallets in a forested area of the park.
Barely any of the bees made it through and he noted that he had doubt the perpetrator would be apprehended.
Another apiarist Heleen Nieman stated on national radio that she had three bee colonies and wanted to donate a colony.
For the beekeeper, who cared for the bees for about nine years, the fire means building a new colony in the park from scratch.
But he affirms he will continue his efforts.
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