5 million bees stolen in one night: the biggest bee theft in Canadian history | Farm Crime
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2021-04-16に共有
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In Spring 2016, one of Quebec’s largest independent apiaries was robbed of 184 hives – over five million bees – valued at $200,000.
The brazen crime sent shockwaves through the beekeeping community and devastated the Labonté family, who have been producing honey in La Belle Province since 1937.
Weaving through the perspective of the Labontés, local media and court officials, the episode explores how one of Quebec’s most storied beekeeping families fell victim to the biggest bee theft in Canadian history.
The Labonté family of Victoriaville, Que., has been producing honey for over 70 years. The company was founded by Rolland Labonté. Jean-Marc, his son, took over the business when he was 17. Jean-Marc’s sons Francis and Mathieu now run the Labonté bee company, along with the help of Francis’ son, Frederick — who is the fourth generation of Labonté beekeepers.
FARM CRIME FACTS:
- One out of every three bites of food we eat is pollinated by bees.
- To make one pound of honey, bees must travel over 88,000 kilometres and visit two million flowers.
- In Quebec, “hive inspectors” are appointed by the government to make sure that beekeepers are doing what they can to keep their bees healthy.
- The Labonté hive heist in 2016 was the biggest bee theft in Canadian history, with over five million stolen bees.
- Jean-Marc Labonté signs off his emails with, “Have a honey of a day!”
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コメント (21)
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Love this? Watch more Farm Crime: gem.cbc.ca/season/farm-crime/season-2/a76f087f-e92…
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I can’t stand someone stealing., These people are very passionate and do their best to look out for the bees. It is their livelihood and their passion. Love from Ontario
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I'm an old bee keeper and a story like this makes me sick. I just do it as a hobby, but this BS makes me fighting mad.
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As a bee keeper this is sad i hope they are caught
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Sad story greatly told. Unfortunately most people are ignorant to the impact of what the loss of bees would do to what they eat .
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Honest hard work will always prosper. Those thieves will never thrive. Jealous, lazy and deceitful. Wish I know what brand they carry and from now on I will only patronize products from Labontès. Thank you for all that you do to serve the community.
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That broke my heart to see him crying. Ppl who keep Bee's work so hard year around. It's a passion they have & knowing those Bee's probably didn't survive once transported away from their original territory. 😢
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Kidnap one of the two who took the bees, get the info and burry him in a hole. The justice system refused to do its job.
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They should put the face of the bad guy, and the name of their company, so no one supports them... I wish them the best💯
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In America. Bee theft is a felony. They are classified as livestock. I would think they would get a stiffer sentence vs Canada
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Nice to see the CBC do something valuable
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Why is the Justice system so broken all over the world. Criminals get away with it every time.
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Sad what happened to that family Very dedicated family to their work and each other
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Beekeeper. 💖💖💖🌱 sustains all living. Stay strong. Please. (F'in thieves) just devastating. Probably paid the cops. So sorry such evil people exist.
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If we can track lost cell phones I hope we can track missing hives in future.
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Did I ever enjoy hearing this story! I never imagined people would steal bees. So glad the thieves were caught.
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I have a short rope and a long drop.......and I only had 5 colonies . If ever knew of a bee theif I would dispense justice.....wish you and your bees healthy and long lives....Tiogapride Apiaries
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Put cameras up that notify you on your cellphone.
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In New Zealand In the early 2000's A prison warden got funding to teach Prisoners Beekeeping, about 3 or 4 years later bee hive theft and other equipment theft became a big problem and everyone was scratching their heads but not me, I knew exactly what was happening.
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Theft of items related to producing income like this, or like tools, should carry double sentencing. With high minimum mandatory.
