ALMOST 100 bees express-posted to Townsville died after Australia Post failed to follow directions for carrying and delivering agricultural items during this week’s heatwave.
Backyard beekeeper Frana McKinstry had ordered a consignment of the insects from Covey’s Bees for members of the Townsville and District Beekeepers Association.
Fifteen queen bees in cages with six worker bees each were shipped from Brisbane to Townsville on Monday for beekeepers from the area who needed new queens.
“Queen bees are very commonly sent by post – that’s normal,” Ms McKinstry said.
Bold instructions on the parcel stated through fluorescent stickers “live bees”, “no sun”, “no sprays” and “deliver quickly”.
The bees, which are usually delivered the next morning by an Australia Post van, were delivered on Wednesday afternoon on foot.
“The postie rolled up with them just in his normal saddle bag – they’d been in the postie’s bag all morning,” Ms McKinstry said.
“I got them out and they were all dead. (The bees) can live in those cages for up to three weeks no problem at all when kept in the right conditions.”
The Kelso resident said it was “pathetic” Australia Post did not take more care.
“My phone number was on the outside of the packet – if anyone gave one ounce of care they’d have given me a call saying ‘it’s stinking hot, do you want to pick them up?’
“I just kept looking at those poor bees – what a waste.
“Usually when you get these bees the whole packet is buzzing but these guys had been cooked.”
RSPCA Queensland’s Michael Beatty said the organisation was unable to take action as bees were not legally covered under the Animal Care and Protection Act.
“We urge anyone who is having anything to do with animals, insects and reptiles in this hot weather to be aware of the heat – whether they are transporting bees or dogs,” Mr Beatty said.
“People have to be aware just how hot it gets and the animals do suffer.”
In a statement to the Bulletin, Australia Post said it was working with Ms McKinstry to reach a suitable resolution to the situation.
“We’ve apologised to this customer and will continue to investigate what caused the delivery to be delayed by one day,” the statement read.
“Our network is capable of carrying and delivering some agricultural items such as bees, as long as these are prepared in accordance with our Dangerous and Prohibited Goods and Packaging Guide and the sender properly completes a Dangerous Good and Aviation Security Statement.”
Sender Bonny Bartlett from Covey’s Bees said nothing was out of the ordinary when she posted the bees.
“They have a sticker on them which we sign ... it’s fluoro green and pretty obvious,” Ms Bartlett said.
“We put these stickers on the packages to try and make sure this situation doesn’t happen.”
