More than 800,000 bees, with an estimated value of tens of thousands of dollars, have been stolen from various properties across far north Queensland. This incident involved 44 colonies taken from three different beekeepers.
Apiarist Tom Bidner from the Atherton Tablelands described the thefts as a sophisticated operation. Thieves reportedly used specialist equipment to remove brood boxes, making the hives appear undisturbed from a distance. This method involved transferring frames into their own boxes and reassembling the original hives.
The stolen bees represent a significant loss for apiarists, who will not only lose the insects themselves but also the income from pollination contracts, which can amount to thousands of dollars. Growers in the region may also experience lower quality flowering as a result.
The thefts come as the local industry is already dealing with the recent arrival of the varroa mite parasite in far north Queensland earlier this month. Det Sgt Ben Cross of the Mareeba rural and stock crime squad suspects the culprits are likely individuals from within the industry, possibly commercial farmers.