One commercial beekeeper has lost nearly 1 500 hives following the recent heavy rains that destroyed several parts of the Western Cape. The Western Cape Bee Industry Association (WCBA) says estimates for the province are in the thousands:
. ‘It is devastating for beekeepers when they lose beehives, whatever the number,’ says Chris Nicklin, WCBA chair. ‘Particularly distressing is the loss of the bee colonies that occupy these hives.’
Unleash your inner explorer with these incredible car deals, all priced under 100k. Find car listingsA major concern now is the effect of the loss of hives and bee colonies, which will negatively impact the early-season pollination of blueberries and plums. For biological reasons, only the Cape honeybee may be used for pollination in the Western Cape. Due to this, beekeepers from other provinces will not be able to assist as they work with a different subspecies – the African honeybee .
Because moving large apiaries is a major logistical exercise, beekeepers are working against time to rescue their hives. Although some were able to move vulnerable hives to higher ground after the initial heavy rains, others were not so lucky as floodwaters travelled at a rapid rate.reports that the risk of further flooding remains, as dams are now filled to capacity.
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