On Friday morning in north-western Washington state, approximately 250 million honeybees escaped from a truck that overturned near the Canadian border close to Lynden. This incident took place around 4am when the truck, which was transporting around 31,751 kilograms of honeybee hives, failed to navigate a tight turn and rolled into a ditch, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
Fortunately, the driver emerged unscathed, and the situation soon attracted a swift response from local deputies, public works staff, and several beekeeping experts. As efforts unfolded to recover the box hives that fell from the truck, local beekeepers arrived to assist in restoring and resetting the hives. The aim was to allow the bees to return and reunite with their queen over the next couple of days, with a focus on saving as many bees as possible.
The sheriff’s office expressed gratitude towards the community of over two dozen beekeepers who participated in the rescue operation, highlighting the critical importance of honeybees in pollinating various crops, including nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Residents were advised to steer clear of the accident site, as deputies occasionally had to dodge the bees in their squad cars to avoid being stung.
Bees and other pollinators have been facing a significant decline due to various factors such as insecticides, diseases, and climate change, which has drawn global attention to their plight. In response to these challenges, World Bee Day was established in 2018 to raise awareness.
Transporting bees is a common practice for beekeepers, as relocating them helps sustain pollinator resources. However, incidents like this raise concerns about safety standards. Alan Woods, president of the Washington State Beekeepers Association, has called for an established “emergency bee response” protocol for such accidents, recalling a previous incident in 2015 where 14 million bees escaped and caused public distress.
Efforts are now concentrated on the delicate work of retrieving and securing the bees back in their hives, showcasing the community’s commitment to preserving these vital pollinators.