Peru grants legal rights to stingless bees for the first time in history
Source: ZME Science
For decades, Peruvian law protected the honeybees brought over from Europe while completely ignoring the native stingless bees that actually keep the Amazon alive. This year, officials in Satipo, a province perched at the edge of the rainforest, finally closed that gap. They approved a landmark ordinance granting stingless bees legal rights—the first time an insect has ever received such recognition.
The new law applies to the Avireri VRAEM Biosphere Reserve, a massive expanse of mountains and mist-shrouded forests. It doesn’t just “protect” the bees; it declares they have an inherent right to exist, to thrive, and to be defended in court if they are harmed.
What the Buzz Is About
Stingless bees have been shaping tropical forests for tens of millions of years. They pollinate a wide array of Amazonian plant species, including cacao, coffee, avocados, and countless wild trees. More than 600 species exist worldwide, at least 175 of them in Peru alone.
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LINK:
https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/peru-stingless-bees-legal-rights/