2008 Woodie Awards
Beehives stolen from Penn State laboratory
Issue date: 3/27/08
Entomologists at Penn State University were set back in their bee research upon the discovery that 150 beehives were stolen from a lab. The hives, valued at $6,000 total, had been missing since the fall, but researchers assumed they were borrowed by colleagues.
But as preparations were made to fill the hives for the spring and the boxes were not returned, the incident was reported to the police.
The stolen beehives were vacant, but specialists at the University believe the thief was most likely someone familiar with the practice of beekeeping.
Similar thefts have occurred over the years, though they usually include the actual bees. The research teams have since obtained new hives with government grant funds.
The Penn State Police are continuing to investigate this crime.
Penn State has been considered a leader in the field of bee research since a scientist there discovered the phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder, in which worker bees in a hive suddenly disappear in large numbers.
But as preparations were made to fill the hives for the spring and the boxes were not returned, the incident was reported to the police.
The stolen beehives were vacant, but specialists at the University believe the thief was most likely someone familiar with the practice of beekeeping.
Similar thefts have occurred over the years, though they usually include the actual bees. The research teams have since obtained new hives with government grant funds.
The Penn State Police are continuing to investigate this crime.
Penn State has been considered a leader in the field of bee research since a scientist there discovered the phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder, in which worker bees in a hive suddenly disappear in large numbers.
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