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A beekeeper from the Netherlands has voiced dismay after his 10 beehives were set ablaze in a public garden in the central city of Almere, causing the loss of an approximated half a million bees.

The beekeeper stated that each hive housed a population of 40-60,000 bees, and the thought that someone could destroy them was devastating.

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

Law enforcement in Almere, which sits to the east of Amsterdam, have requested observers after the deliberate fire on Tuesday night in the city's scenic Beatrixpark. They shared images of the fire on online platforms.

The Netherlands authorities reports that over 50% of the country's 360 types of bee are at threat of dying out, as the population of bees decreases globally.

Mr Stringer explained that authorities had informed him an accelerant had been used to ignite the hives, which were sitting on wooden platforms in a forested area of the park.

Barely any of the insects made it through and he said that he had little faith the perpetrator would be caught.

Another apiarist a local beekeeper stated on national radio that she had three hives and planned to donate a colony.

For Mr Stringer, who cared for the colonies for about almost a decade, the fire means building a fresh hive in the park from the beginning.

But he affirms he will not give up.

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