500,000 Bees Perish in Netherlands Fire Incident.
A Dutch beekeeper has voiced dismay after his 10 beehives were burned down in a park in the city of Almere, resulting in the loss of an estimated 500,000 bees.
The beekeeper stated that each hive housed a population of 40-60,000 bees, and the thought that anyone could destroy them was horrific.
"It is deeply painful that my 10 hives have died," he told regional media.
Law enforcement in Almere, which sits to the east of Amsterdam, have appealed for observers after the arson attack on Tuesday evening in the city's picturesque Beatrixpark. They posted images of the fire on online platforms.
The Dutch government reports that more than half of the country's 360 species of bee are at risk of extinction, as the population of bees decreases around the world.
Mr Stringer said that police had informed him an flammable substance had been employed to burn the hives, which were placed on wooden platforms in a forested area of the park.
Almost none of the insects survived and he noted that he had little faith the arsonist would be apprehended.
Another apiarist Heleen Nieman told national radio that she had three bee colonies and wanted to donate one of them.
For Mr Stringer, who looked after the bees for about nine years, the fire means starting a fresh hive in the area from scratch.
But he affirms he will continue his efforts.
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