A GROUP of beekeepers in Co Down are extremely concerned for the welfare of thousands of bees which were stolen along with four hives last week.
The beehives were taken from Delamont Country Park, near Downpatrick, sometime between Monday, October 15 and Saturday 20th by thieves who were probably dressed in specialist suits and who had a knowledge of bee keeping.
According to David McCartney, of the Killinchy and District Beekeeping Association (KDBA), the fact that fellow enthusiasts were almost certainly involved has caused the greatest annoyance.
“That is the most galling thing about it,” he said.
“They are either beekeepers that have lost bees or else beekeepers that have stolen them to sell on. We are asking people not to take them if they are offered them as this equipment is traceable.”
Mr McCartney believes the beehives were taken from the orchard at Delamont by at least two thieves using either a lorry or trailer.
“It has to be beekeepers as only a beekeeper knows how to close a colony up and move it. You only have to relocate a beehive three miles and the bees won’t go back home.
“If these hives are moved less than three miles they will fly back to the orchard, but if you move them out of a three-mile radius they have to re-orientate themselves.”Chairperson of the KDBA, Valentine Hodges, described the thefts as a “major loss” to the Killinchy group.
“Whoever took them would need to have been suited up. It doesn’t matter what time of the day or night, if you try to move a hive and you’re not suited up, then you will be badly stung,” she said.
See Wednesday’s News Letter for full story