Honey bee farmer loses 1000s of bees in suspected poisoning

RCMP in southwestern Manitoba are trying to find out who poisoned thousands of honey bees near Brandon, Man., in recent weeks.

Jason Loewen, who owns the bee farm,said about 60 honey-producing bee hives are a total loss. He estimates the financial impact to be about $40,000.

Brandon RCMP said thepoisoning happenedsometime between Aug. 14 and Sept. 3. Hives attwo separate locations were targeted, about 10 to 16 kilometres northwest of Brandon in the Rural Municipality of Elton.

Anyone with information is asked to call Brandon RCMP at 204-726-7522 or call Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) if they want to remain anonymous.