A BEEHIVE heist near Robinvale has cost an apiarist an entire year’s income.
Last week Portland apiarist Jeremy Scott was notified that 60 of his 76 bee hives, stored on a farm near Annuello-Wemen Road approximately 35km south west of Robinvale, were missing.
Mr Scott had last made the five hour trip from Portland to check on his hives at the end of June, and believes the theft occurred in the four week window between Wednesday, June 24 and Monday, July 20.
Mr Scott said the 60 stolen hives represent a net loss of income of $50,000 to $60,000.
The bees themselves are valued at around $24,000 and Mr Scott is now unable to carry out scheduled almond pollination, on top of losing his means of honey production.
“This is a huge financial and mental blow to me and my family,” he said.
“The person who has taken them is very calculated.”
For more on this story, grab a copy of Friday’s Guardian (July 31).
