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A Dutch beekeeper has voiced dismay after his 10 beehives were set ablaze in a public garden in the central city of Almere, causing the loss of an approximated half a million bees.

Harold Stringer mentioned that each hive contained a colony of 40-60,000 bees, and the idea that someone could destroy them was horrific.

"It really hurts that my 10 hives have perished," he informed local broadcaster.

Law enforcement in Almere, located to the east of Amsterdam, have appealed for observers after the deliberate fire on Tuesday evening in the city's picturesque Beatrixpark. They posted images of the fire on social media.

The Dutch government says that more than half of the country's 360 types of bee are at risk of dying out, as the population of bees decreases globally.

Mr Stringer explained that police had told him an accelerant had been used to burn the colonies, which were placed on pallets in a wooded part of the garden.

Almost none of the insects survived and he said that he had doubt the arsonist would be apprehended.

Fellow beekeeper a local beekeeper stated on Dutch radio that she had three hives and planned to donate a colony.

For the beekeeper, who looked after the colonies for about almost a decade, the incident means starting a new colony in the park from the beginning.

But he insists he will continue his efforts.

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