Bee theft in Alberta has farmer offering $1,000 reward

A bee farmergot stung by a theftthis week after someone stole about 600,000bees from his property nearInnisfail, Alta.

"The biggest question is why," saidKevin Nixon, the owner of the Nixon Honey Farm.

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'"Somebody has to have the knowledge or experience to go ahead and lift, by hand, 12hives on to a truck and walk away with them. They are certainly going to be agitated when you handle them,and they are heavy there's honey on them."

Nixon estimates the stolen honey and bee equipmentis worth about $10,000.

He's offering a $1,000reward for information that helps find the stolen bees.

"This is our livestock.For some farmers it's cattle,or other animals,and for usit's bees," said Nixon.

"It's our livelihood and I don't know why people would feel the need to take that."

He says Innisfail RCMP are investigating the theft. Anyone with information is asked to contact them at 403-227-3341, or send a note to the farm through its website.