500,000 Bees Perish in Dutch Deliberate Blaze.
A Dutch beekeeper has expressed shock after his ten colonies were set ablaze in a park in the 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 anyone could destroy them was devastating.
"It is deeply painful that my 10 hives have perished," he told local broadcaster.
Police in Almere, which sits to the east of Amsterdam, have requested observers after the arson attack on Tuesday evening in the city's picturesque Beatrixpark. They posted images of the fire on online platforms.
The Netherlands authorities says that more than half of the nation's 360 types of bee are at threat of dying out, as the population of bees declines globally.
Mr Stringer explained that authorities had told him an flammable substance had been employed to ignite the hives, which were placed on wooden platforms in a wooded part of the park.
Barely any of the insects made it through and he noted that he had little faith the perpetrator would be caught.
Another apiarist a local beekeeper told national radio that she had three hives and wanted to donate a colony.
For Mr Stringer, who looked after the bees for about nine years, the incident means starting a fresh hive in the area from scratch.
But he insists he will continue his efforts.
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