500,000 Bees Killed in Netherlands Fire Incident.
A Dutch beekeeper has expressed shock after his ten colonies were set ablaze in a public garden in the city of Almere, resulting in the death of an approximated half a million bees.
The beekeeper mentioned that every colony housed a colony of 40-60,000 bees, and the idea that someone could kill them was devastating.
"It really hurts that my 10 hives have perished," he told local broadcaster.
Police in Almere, which sits to the east of Amsterdam, have appealed for observers after the arson attack on Tuesday night in the city's scenic Beatrixpark. They posted pictures of the blaze on online platforms.
The Netherlands authorities reports that over 50% of the nation's 360 types of bee are at risk of dying out, as the population of bees decreases globally.
Mr Stringer explained that police had told him an flammable substance had been used to ignite the colonies, which were placed on pallets in a wooded part of the garden.
Barely any of the bees survived and he noted that he had little faith the arsonist would be caught.
Another apiarist Heleen Nieman stated on Dutch radio that she had three bee colonies and wanted to donate a colony.
For the beekeeper, who looked after the colonies for about nine years, the fire means building a new colony in the park from the beginning.
But he affirms he will continue his efforts.
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