Bee theft is on the rise after beekeepers faced their highest nationwide losses in fourteen years.
Data from last year shows beekeepers are believed to have lost over 50% of their managed bee colonies.
The drop in numbers had led to some concern with demand for bees starting to peak in California’s almond-growing regions. Millions of bees are required to pollinate the trees which are mostly located in the San Joaquin Valley.
Last year, an estimated 3,600 hives were stolen in the area and that trend is expected to grow this year.
The California State Beekeepers Association has even launched a new theft prevention program, using air tags, marked bee boxes, and cameras.
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