Half a Million Bees Killed in Dutch Arson Attack.

Destroyed beehives — A beekeeper's 10 beehives were destroyed in a green space in the city of Almere.

A Dutch beekeeper has expressed shock after his 10 beehives were set ablaze in a park in the city of Almere, causing the death of an approximated half a million bees.

The beekeeper stated that each hive contained a population of forty to sixty thousand bees, and the thought that anyone could destroy them was horrific.

"It really hurts that my 10 hives have died," he told local broadcaster.

Law enforcement in Almere, which sits to the northeast of Amsterdam, have requested observers after the arson attack on Tuesday evening in the city's scenic Beatrixpark. They posted images of the fire on social media.

The Dutch government reports that over 50% of the nation's 360 species of bee are at risk of extinction, as the population of bees declines globally.

Mr Stringer explained that authorities had informed him an flammable substance had been used to ignite the colonies, which were sitting on wooden platforms in a wooded part of the park.

Almost none of the bees made it through and he said that he had doubt the arsonist would be caught.

Another apiarist a local beekeeper told Dutch radio that she had three hives and planned to give him one of them.

For Mr Stringer, who looked after the bees for about nine years, the incident means building a fresh hive in the area from the beginning.

But he insists he will not give up.