Several burning bee boxes were found at the Brazoria County Beekeepers Association in Angleton, Texas, early Saturday, according to authorities.
A deputy from the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office found the burning boxes and he immediately extinguished the fire, but the damage has already been done.
“The intention of this yard was to help hobby beekeepers, and also to raise community awareness of beekeeping,” the beekeepers association wrote in their Facebook page.
The venue was a place for those practicing beekeeping, and even for those who do it as a hobby. Visitors can also view the bees and take a look at some of the beekeepers take care of them.
According to investigations, the bee boxes appeared to have been dumped first, before it was set on fire. There were only a few floating brood frame in the water with bees still caring for their brood. Undeniably, the beekeepers “broke down in tears” upon seeing the tragic situation.
Just as honey season is about to kick off, they believe about 20 bee hives and 24 colonies have been destroyed, according ABC Houston station KTRK.
Steve Brackmann, owner of Bear Creek Bee Recovery told ABC that it takes a long time to recover from this and to establish a colony, which may last for up to a year or a full man. He believes some of the queens were probably killed, along with about 500,000 to 600,000 bees killed.
Authorities are now looking for the culprit and a $5.000 reward is being offered for information on the person/s involved in the vandalism.
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