Half a Million Bees Perish in Dutch Arson Attack.
A Dutch beekeeper has expressed shock after his 10 beehives were burned down in a park in the city of Almere, causing the death of an estimated 500,000 bees.
Harold Stringer mentioned that every colony housed a colony of 40-60,000 bees, and the thought that anyone could kill them was devastating.
"It is deeply painful that my 10 hives have perished," he informed local broadcaster.
Law enforcement 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 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 threat of extinction, as the population of bees decreases around the world.
The beekeeper said that authorities had informed him an flammable substance had been used to ignite the hives, which were sitting on pallets in a wooded part of the park.
Barely any of the insects made it through and he noted that he had little faith the arsonist would be caught.
Fellow beekeeper Heleen Nieman stated on national radio that she had three bee colonies and planned to donate a colony.
For the beekeeper, who looked after the bees for about nine years, the incident means starting a new colony in the area from the beginning.
But he insists he will continue his efforts.
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