Bees

Without bees, our planet would be in trouble.

Did you know that we have a colony of bees at the Sanctuary? In 2018, we were approached by BeesMAX, a not-for-profit company with the sole aim of reversing the decline of the UK bee population.

Honeybees alone pollinate 80% of all flowering plants, including many of the fruits and vegetables we eat. But bees face many threats in the modern world, including habitat loss and poisoning from pesticides. When we found out that we could help by housing our own colony, we wanted in!

You can see our bee colony in action, learn how you can help save bees from extinction, and find out what other conservation projects we take part in when you visit us at the Sanctuary. Or, read more about honeybees on BeesMAX.org and watch their footage of our beehive by clicking on this link.

Conservation Status: Endangered

Species: UK Honeybee

There are over 270 bee species in the UK, ranging from bumblebees and solitary bees to the easily recognisable honeybee with its black and gold stripes. The UK honeybee is a semi-domesticated species, used to produce honey for human consumption. Wild honeybee colonies are now incredibly rare. Although bees are a vital pollinator of our flowers and crops, they have suffered major population declines due to the destruction of their natural habitat and the use of pesticides. That is why we are delighted to offer a colony a home at our Sanctuary on the Isle of Wight.