Wildlife

Wild Bee Population Decline Welfare

Wild bee populations are declining dramatically worldwide, with welfare implications for billions of individual bees and cascading ecosystem effects.

Key Facts

Over 20,000 bee species exist globally — only honeybees are domesticated
Wild bee populations have declined by up to 60% in some regions over the last three decades
Pesticides, habitat loss, disease and climate change are all contributing factors
Wild bees pollinate 90% of wild flowering plants and 35% of global food production

Welfare Considerations

Individual wild bees experience the direct effects of pesticide exposure — disorientation, impaired navigation, paralysis and death. Neonicotinoid pesticides cause sublethal effects that prevent successful foraging and colony reproduction. As sentient animals with complex behaviors and navigational abilities, bees experience the welfare consequences of environmental degradation at an individual level across enormous numbers.

What You Can Do

Plant diverse native flowering plants in your garden
Avoid using pesticides especially neonicotinoids
Support organic and biodiversity-friendly farming practices
Advocate for pesticide regulations that protect pollinators