Bees invaded the National Park yesterday afternoon, forcing the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) to temporarily close the facility.
PAC Public Relations Officer Malika Ramsay told Sunday Stabroek that bee experts believe that a hive was somehow disturbed, resulting in hundreds of bees swarming around the park.
As precautionary measure, Ramsay said, PAC was forced to close the park for the remainder of Saturday as the experts worked to find the bees’ hive. They were unable to do so by last evening and are expected to continue their search today.
“The decision to close is to ensure that all patrons and citizens are safe and unharmed. Please also note that the bee experts have been contacted and will work to ensure the park is reopened soonest,” the PAC said in a statement.
Ramsay also stated that nobody was stung. She said after receiving reports of bees flying in the area, PAC ordered the park to be closed immediately so nobody would be stung.
According to Aaron (only name given), who was in the Park with others before it was evacuated, the bees were only flying over the eastern section of the National Park. He said he and others were told to leave because even though the bees were in the eastern section, officials feared that someone might wander into that area and may have gotten stung. He added that they were told that the bees were “normal honey bees.”
Ramsay said once experts deem that the bees are no longer a threat the park will be reopened. She noted that bees were still seen flying around the park last evening.
