500,000 Bees Perish in Netherlands Arson Attack.
A beekeeper from the Netherlands has expressed shock after his ten colonies were burned down in a park in the city of Almere, causing the death of an estimated 500,000 bees.
The beekeeper stated that every colony housed a colony of 40-60,000 bees, and the idea that anyone could kill them was horrific.
"It is deeply painful that my ten colonies have perished," he told regional media.
Police in Almere, located to the east of Amsterdam, have appealed for observers after the deliberate fire on Tuesday evening in the city's picturesque Beatrixpark. They posted images of the blaze on social media.
The Dutch government says that over 50% of the country's 360 types of bee are at risk of extinction, as the population of bees decreases globally.
The beekeeper explained that police had informed him an accelerant had been used to ignite the hives, which were placed on pallets in a forested area of the garden.
Barely any of the bees made it through and he noted that he had doubt the arsonist would be apprehended.
Another apiarist Heleen Nieman stated on Dutch radio that she had three bee colonies and planned to donate a colony.
For Mr Stringer, who looked after the colonies for about nine years, the fire means building a fresh hive in the park from the beginning.
But he insists he will continue his efforts.
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