Over 800,000 bees reported missing in Queensland

In far north Queensland, Australia, over 800,000 bees have reportedly been stolen from three beekeepers. Tom Bidner, a beekeeper from the Atherton Tablelands near Cairns, noted that 44 colonies were taken, with each hive estimated to contain at least 20,000 bees. He assessed the total value of the stolen bees to be in the tens of thousands of dollars. The thefts occurred at multiple locations and involved specialized equipment, as the thieves removed brood boxes without taking the entire hives. They transferred frames into their own boxes and reassembled the hives to avoid detection. The honey was left untouched, leading Bidner to suspect that individuals with beekeeping knowledge were involved. Detective Sergeant Ben Cross indicated that the perpetrator was likely a commercial farmer rather than an amateur.