Opportunistic thieves have once again demonstrated that with the region going through a devastating drought times of crisis bring out the worst in people.
A local beekeeper who placed hives on a local rural property just outside of Warwick several months ago found they had been stolen last week, evidenced by tyre marks showing a larger vehicle – presumably with some kind of crane mechanism – had been at the location.
Around 50 individual hives and bees were stolen, with each hive typically worth around $200, or up to $350 in a good season – all up around $10,000 worth of the beekeeper’s livelihood has gone.
Hives are marked with a registered brand much the same way as livestock so the ability to sell the boxes themselves for a quick buck is limited.
The beekeeper concerned has told the Free Times and the Warwick Police they will consider a reward for any information on the stolen hives. Contact the Warwick Police on 4660 4444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
