"Aussie Beekeepers in Crisis: Thieves Steal $150,000 Worth of Bees in Baffling Heist. A brazen theft of 80 beehive boxes containing active colonies has left the rural community of New South Wales reeling. The alleged theft, which occurred sometime between March 31st and May 6th, has left beekeeper Mitch McLennan wondering if the thieves might be fellow professionals. As the number of hive thefts rises due to the spread of parasitic varroa mites, McLennan says such incidents have become 'quite commonplace.' The theft, valued at $150,000, has sparked a police investigation and raises questions about the motives behind the brazen heist. With beekeeping facing unprecedented challenges, will this high-stakes theft crack the case of the missing hives?"
Local beekeeper Mitch McLennan says hive thefts have become ‘quite commonplace’ due to rise of parasitic varroa mitesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastPolice are searching for thieves who allegedly stole $150,000 worth of beehives from a rural property in the New South Wales northern tablelands, with a local apiarist saying they may well have been taken by a fellow beekeeper.Eighty beehive boxes containing active colonies were taken from a property on Bruxner Way, 15km west of Bonshaw and 100km north-west of Glen Innes. NSW police believe the alleged theft occurred sometime between Tuesday 31 March and Wednesday 6 May. Continue reading...
