New Nature Area at Colchester Zoo is Buzzing

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New Nature Area at Colchester Zoo is Buzzing after the arrival of 6,000 native Honey Bees!

Honey bees have dramatically declined in the UK over the last century and in an attempt to curb this decline Zoo Keeper and Amateur Beekeeper, Richard Hazelgrove is creating a honey bee colony in the zoo’s nature area.

Last Wednesday the unusual delivery of 6,000 honey bees arrived at the zoo from the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) having been moved by the BBKA beekeeper when they had gathered in a private garden.

Richard oversaw the relocation of the bees in the early hours of the morning and will check and care for the bees from now on to make sure that the bee population is kept healthy and free from disease.

Richard said ‘I am so excited about getting the chance to work with a species that is in such need of conservation and I am looking forward to helping the colony grow in size; some colonies can have over 80,000 individuals! Not only will I be able to help conserve the species but any honey that I extract can go to the various animal sections around the zoo as a treat. I think the sun bears would definitely enjoy it!’

Honey bees are an essential part of the food chain and are responsible for pollinating one third of the food that we eat. Unfortunately in more recent times honey bees have been under attack from the relentless Varroa mite and have also suffered badly from agricultural disturbances.

Over the last few years Colchester Zoo has really put an emphasis on the welfare of its native wildlife, which has included the development of its own 1.2 hectare nature area. The bees are located in the nature area off view and should already be doing a good job of ensuring that their surrounding environment is healthy and well pollinated.




EssexTouristGuide.com 14th June 2011

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