Thieves target honey at UGA hives, hindering research
University of Georgia
WATKINSVILLE, Ga. (AP) -- Thieves have stolen about 15 pounds of honey at a University of Georgia honey bee research location in Oconee County.
The Athens Banner-Herald reports (http://bit.ly/2hNiDaV ) that the Oconee County Sheriff's Office is investigating. The honey was from hives owned by the University of Georgia's Horticulture Farm on Hog Mountain Farm.
The hives were looted at least three times in recent days.
The sheriff's office and the University of Georgia Police Department are investigating.
The hives are part of a $1.2 million research project partnered with Emory University to study the impact of the Varroa mite, a parasitic pest that is causing severe damage to the honey bee industry. A staffer at the farm said the thefts hinder research and could affect the bees' ability to survive the winter.
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Information from: Athens Banner-Herald, http://www.onlineathens.com