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Millions of Bees Mysteriously Die in Russia's Urals and Siberia
21 Jul
Summary
- Over five million bees died in the Chelyabinsk Region, causes unknown.
- Millions of bees died in Krasnoyarsk Region; probe launched.
- Pesticide use is suspected as the cause of mass bee deaths.
Mass bee die-offs are currently being investigated in Russia's Chelyabinsk and Krasnoyarsk Regions. In Chelyabinsk, over five million bees have died, with authorities collecting soil samples for laboratory tests to determine if residual pesticides are the cause. The local veterinary service is awaiting these results to decide on subsequent measures.
Similarly, the Krasnoyarsk Region has reported the deaths of millions of bees. A probe has been launched by the regional prosecutor's office, and an examination of seized bees is underway. While no infectious or parasitic diseases have been detected, 22 farmers have reported bee deaths, with suspicions pointing to the use of potent chemicals on nearby fields. Experts warn that unpollinated crop yields could decrease by 10-15%.
Soil and plant samples have been collected in Krasnoyarsk for examination. Authorities received complaints from local beekeepers regarding the use of chemicals from classes 1 and 3 in early July. The results of the ongoing inspections will be crucial in determining the definitive cause of these widespread bee deaths and will inform any response measures taken by the local government.
