In Northeast Fresno, residents are used to 150,000 bees swarming among the gardens of the area, keeping all of the many flowers and plants pollinated and thriving. A local beekeeper, Hilton Osborne, has been there to thank for the presence of the garden helpers. His bees have been allowed to fly all over the neighborhood, providing punctual pollination while receiving nature’s nectar in return.
However, this week residents—and Osborne himself—are left wondering, “Where have all the bees gone?” Apparently, the buzzing bugs have been stolen. Osborne says someone drove up on his vacant land and took off with the bees, resulting in a loss of 28 colonies and up to an $8,000 loss.
Not only will Osborne suffer due to the crime, however; the neighborhoods of Fresno are sure to lose their fragrant blossoms as well. Osborne says he has a few hives left, but he’s low on both honey and honeycombs.
Bee stealing is simply not cool. If people in Fresno know where these bees are being kept, speak up: a man’s livelihood and the life of thousands of plants depend on these bees, and haven’t we had enough bee shortages already? In the meantime, perhaps residents could pitch in and raise some funds for more bees for their neighbor in order to get more bees and honey back into the community.