Hibernation deaths set back operation bumblebee

A BID to reintroduce a species of bumblebee which died out in the UK but survived in New Zealand, having been shipped there more than 100 years ago, has been delayed after the bees died in hibernation.

A small number of short-haired bumblebees were to return from New Zealand, where the bees were taken on the first refrigerated lamb boats in the 19th century to pollinate crops of red clover.

The insects, which became extinct in the UK in 2000, were due to be released back in the UK in a project by Natural England, the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, the RSPB and bee charity Hymettus.

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But just days before they were due to be released at the RSPB's Dungeness reserve in Kent, Natural England said they had not survived hibernation in New Zealand.

The re-introduction programme has now been put back until next summer, the Government's conservation agency said.

A new expedition to New Zealand will take place in November to capture queens to rear and provide a new generation of queens to be brought back to the UK next June, Natural England said.

The bumblebees need to be bred in captivity for a generation to ensure they avoid "jet lag" by being in hibernation during travel, to prevent them carrying diseases and to increase their numbers.

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A statement from the project's partners said: "Over the next six months work will concentrate on creating more habitat for bumblebees, perfecting the rearing technique in New Zealand and raising the profile of the importance of bumblebees with local communities."