Over 800,000 bees reported stolen in far north Queensland

The short version

• Thieves have reportedly stolen an estimated 800,000 bees across 44 colonies from three apiarists in far north Queensland's Atherton Tablelands.[The Guardian]
• The operation targeted brood boxes and transferred frames into external containers while leaving honey behind to avoid immediate detection.[The Guardian]
• Police and local beekeepers suspect an industry insider executed the thefts using specialized commercial equipment.[The Guardian]
• The thefts come shortly after far north Queensland recorded its first local detection of the destructive varroa mite parasite.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• An estimated 800,000 bees across 44 colonies were stolen from three beekeepers in the Atherton Tablelands.[The Guardian]
• The thieves transferred brood frames into their own boxes and left honey intact, making the hives appear undisturbed from a distance.[The Guardian]
• Police and a local apiarist suspect the thefts were carried out by a commercial farmer or industry insider.[The Guardian]
• The region recorded its first detection of the varroa mite parasite south of Cairns a week prior to the thefts.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• More than 800,000 bees stolen across far north Queensland in ‘sophisticated’ operationThe Guardian - World