# Queensland organized bee theft

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/queensland-organized-bee-theft
> Updated: 2026-09-24T06:43:26.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2.

An organized criminal operation has resulted in the theft of more than 800,000 bees from apiaries in northern Queensland, Australia. The theft targeted approximately 44 colonies across multiple properties, including three different apiaries in the Atherton Tablelands region.

Authorities and beekeepers suggest the perpetrators possess professional industry knowledge. The thieves reportedly used specialized equipment to remove only the brood boxes and frames, leaving the hives appearing intact to avoid immediate detection. Notably, the thieves left the honey behind, focusing exclusively on the livestock.

The incident has caused significant financial strain during a peak pollination season for crops such as avocado and blueberry. Beekeepers face losses from the stolen bees as well as the loss of lucrative pollination contracts. This situation is compounded by existing pressures on the region’s bee populations due to the presence of the Varroa mite parasite.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-24: Queensland bee theft: Over 800,000 bees stolen from apiaries

Over 800,000 bees were stolen from apiaries in northern Queensland, Australia. Experts suspect professional thieves targeted the colonies during the critical avocado pollination season.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/queensland-bee-theft-over-800000-bees-stolen-from-apiaries

### 2026-09-21: Queensland bee theft: 800,000 bees stolen in organized operation

Approximately 800,000 bees have been stolen in a sophisticated heist across far north Queensland, threatening pollination contracts during a critical agricultural season.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/queensland-beekeepers-targeted-in-sophisticated-800000-bee-theft

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Cite as: Queensland organized bee theft. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/queensland-organized-bee-theft