A bear got into an apiary - farmer calculates losses
The first case of suspected bear damage to an apiary has been recorded in Biržai district. The Milkeri family, beekeepers in the Papilio sub-district, found their hives overturned and broken, and some of the bee colonies – died. The beekeepers are in no doubt: it was not a badger or a man – only a bear could have done this. In neighbouring Latvia, however, there have been several reports of beehives being destroyed by bears...
Bees are dead, bears are full?
On a beautiful autumn day, the beekeeping family of Asta and Rytis Milkeris, who live in Papilís, was in shock. When they arrived at the apiary in the village of Kiliškiai, near the forest, they were astonished and could not believe their eyes; the hives were thrown away, some of them broken, and the scattered combs were empty.
„In one apiary we found two hives knocked over, in another – five. One hive was empty, maybe one colony will survive, but five colonies were killed. Parts of the hives were scattered, the combs had been torn out and chewed up. We believe that no other beast could have done this, and neither could man. It looks very much like the work of a bear. Most unfortunate are the bee colonies. We have put the beehives back together, tidied them up and we will be able to continue using them," said Ms Milkerienė.
„The hives are big, so no other animal could push it and throw it with such force, The beekeepers said that they had heard farmers in the surrounding area saying that bears regularly visit their apiaries, knocking over their hives and eating their honey. However, no such cases have been reported in the Biržai district.
