63 Endangered Penguins Stung to Death by Swarm of Bees in Cape Town

The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds reported that a swarm of bees killed 63 endangered African penguins on a beach near Cape Town.

Bees and wasps are two insect species in the Hymenoptera order. These creatures are vital pollinators who contribute to the world's food supply and biodiversity. Therefore, it is in our best interests to protect them and to treat them with dignity. These tiny critters, however, may pose a significant concern.

These insects are rarely hostile until provoked. Thus a sting is usually a defensive reaction to protect itself or its habitat. However, venom from them can produce localized, allergic, and/or toxic responses, depending on the severity of the envenomation.

A sting occurs when an insect injects poison into the skin through its stinger. A bee can only sting once, and then it dies. Wasps can sting many times in a single episode. When eaten, even dead bees or wasps may attack pets. If a dog consumes a wasp nest that has just been treated with a pesticide to kill the insects, the process of ingesting recently deceased wasps can cause stings in the mouth or throat of the dog. Toxicity may also be a concern if the pesticide is consumed.

Aggressive Bees

When faced with a threat, bees become aggressive to defend their colony. These bees will also become hostile and sting if they are assaulted or disturbed. Vibrations, dark hues, and carbon dioxide are some of the things that might make honey bees hostile.

Unless attacked or disturbed, bees are typically docile. When approaching a hive, you'll observe that the bees are relaxed and focused on their tasks. However, one or two aggressive guard bees will also be hovering around.

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