A beekeeper from the Netherlands has expressed shock after his 10 beehives were set ablaze in a public garden in the central city of Almere, causing the loss of an approximated 500,000 bees.
The beekeeper mentioned that every colony housed a population of 40-60,000 bees, and the thought that someone could destroy them was devastating.
"It is deeply painful that my ten colonies have died," he told regional media.
Law enforcement in Almere, located to the east of Amsterdam, have requested observers after the arson attack on Tuesday evening in the city's picturesque Beatrixpark. They posted pictures of the blaze on online platforms.
The Dutch government says that over 50% of the country's 360 types of bee are at risk of extinction, as the number of bees declines globally.
The beekeeper explained that authorities had told him an flammable substance had been used to ignite the colonies, which were placed on pallets in a forested area of the garden.
Barely any of the insects survived and he noted that he had little faith the arsonist would be apprehended.
Fellow beekeeper Heleen Nieman stated on Dutch radio that she had three hives and planned to give him one of them.
For the beekeeper, who looked after the colonies for about almost a decade, the fire means building a fresh hive in the park from scratch.
But he affirms he will continue his efforts.
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