Beekeepers evacuate bees after vandalism in PARK21: “Palace without inhabitants”

The so-called ‘bee palace’ in PARK21 in Hoofddorp was heavily overhauled by vandals last week. Windows have been smashed and attempts have been made to set the cabinets on fire. Passers-by discovered the damage and informed the Haarlemmermeer beekeepers association.

Demolished bee palace – Own photo

The beekeepers’ association took immediate action and moved the destroyed beehives to a safe environment just to be on the safe side. “Soon someone will manage to set the cupboards on fire, then we will be further away from home,” says board member Monique Klemann.

The hives have been moved to the place where the beekeepers association is located, where the bees are behind fences, so that no one can (easily) reach them.

After discovering the damage, the association has reported vandalism, a spokesperson for the Haarlemmermeer police confirms.

Sad affair

The passerby who noticed the destruction regularly walks her dog there. “When I walked past the Bee Palace, I saw that all the windows had been smashed and there was a lot of rubbish around them. I think it’s very sad that someone is doing this,” says Mieke.

Beekeepers Association Haarlemmermeer, which maintains the Bee Palace, thinks it is a regrettable situation. “Very annoying that the Bee Palace is no longer habitable. There is now a palace without inhabitants,” says Monique Klemann.

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