The Economic Times

Bee theft in Australia: Over 800,000 bees stolen from Queensland farms, beekeepers face heavy losses

Commercial beekeepers in Queenslands Atherton Tablelands are dealing with major losses after dozens of established colonies disappeared from their properties. Some hives had been stripped of bees, brood and frames, prompting police to consider whether the people responsible had specialist beekeeping knowledge. The missing colonies were used for honey production and crop pollination, including during the avocado-growing season.