500,000 Bees Perish in Dutch Arson Attack.
A Dutch beekeeper has voiced shock after his ten colonies were set ablaze in a public garden in the central city of Almere, resulting in the death of an approximated half a million bees.
Harold Stringer stated that every colony contained a population of 40-60,000 bees, and the thought that someone could destroy them was devastating.
"It really hurts that my 10 hives have perished," he informed local broadcaster.
Law enforcement in Almere, located to the east of Amsterdam, have appealed for observers after the deliberate fire on Tuesday night in the city's scenic Beatrixpark. They shared pictures of the blaze on online platforms.
The Dutch government says that more than half of the country's 360 types of bee are at risk of extinction, as the number of bees decreases globally.
Mr Stringer explained that authorities had told him an flammable substance had been employed to burn the hives, which were placed on pallets in a forested area of the park.
Almost none of the bees survived and he said that he had doubt the arsonist would be apprehended.
Another apiarist Heleen Nieman told Dutch radio that she had three bee colonies and wanted to donate one of them.
For the beekeeper, who looked after the bees for about almost a decade, the fire means starting a new colony in the area from the beginning.
But he insists he will not give up.
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