THOUSANDS of honey bees have been killed and hundreds of pounds worth of damage caused by a series of attacks by vandals on hives at a farm near Stonehaven.
Local man George Duncan has been beekeeping at West Newtonleys farm for more than 40 years. He told the Leader the vandals have struck three times in the last few weeks.
He said: "They have knocked over the hives and kicked the layers apart, and th
en smashed them up with stones. But quite apart from the physical damage, we've lost all the brood from those hives. They've killed all the young bees."
The incidents have also left the queen bee dead, which has resulted in two hives being out of production for the remainder of the year, just at the beginning of the honey producing season.
Mr Duncan said he was devastated when he discovered the vandalism, and cannot understand why he would be targeted three times.
He said: "Apart from the fact that this is quite a loss for me, it is also extremely dangerous for whoever is doing this. They are bound to have been stung several times and there is even a possibility that the bees could kill."
Grampian police have echoed this, warning that tampering with live hives without specialist handling skills could result in serious injury.
Anyone who can provide any information about the incidents can contact Grampian Police on 0845 600 5 700. Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
GEORGE DUNCAN, whose beehives have been destroyed by vandals.
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