16 beehives reach greater heights at the east wing of the State Office Complex in Jalan Bleteh.
KAPIT: Breaking the norm of its natural habitat on branches of tall (tapang) trees in the jungle and in the secondary and primary forest, wild honey bees locally known as ‘manyie’, have adapted to changes in ecology and the environment by building its beehives at alternative sites such as high-rise buildings in urban areas.
Perhaps, human encroachment on its natural habitat in the forest has prompted this honey-producing creature to look for an alternative to build its beehive in the concrete jungle.
As in the case of Kapit, high rise concrete buildings here are a haven for the bees to build its beehives as several were prominently seen in these high rise ‘habitat’.
The most prominent scenario was at the nine-storey State Office Complex in Jalan Bleteh where more than 16 beehives of different sizes at different levels of the building were seen outside the east wing.
Other office buildings with sighting of beehives of wild honey bees include the Kapit District Council building located along Jalan Kubu and the Telekom Office building.
The presence of those beehives are often seen as a menace as bees attracted to light during the night made its way into many homes in town and its surrounding areas.
On the bright side, it is a ready source of honey come harvest time.