A man wanted for killing off more than 1,000 bees might have needed medical treatment for a countless number of stings, police have said.
The vandal scattered nine hives at Bodelwyddan Castle, North Wales, and damaged their frames, causing its entire stock of bees to be destroyed.
Police are hoping to track down the person, who would have been heavily stung in their attack, and would have needed treatment afterwards.
Nine hives were vandalised at Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales and the entire colony was killed
Frames were damaged and the hives were scattered in the attack which killed more than 1,000 insects
Most people can withstand 10 bee stings for every pound of fat before the venom becomes fatal, unless they are allergic.
The director of the Bodelwyddan Castle Trust said he 'can't find words to describe' the act of vandalism that killed off the entire colony.
Dr Kevin Mason told ITV: 'I don't know how people can do something like this.'
The incident is believed to have happened in the castle's orchard between midday on Tuesday April 9 and midday on Thursday.
The director of the Bodelwyddan Castle Trust said: 'I don't know how people can do something like this.'
A spokesman for North Wales Police (NWP) said: ‘An appeal for information is being made after nine beehives were damaged and the bees killed in Bodelwyddan.
‘Over 1,000 bees were disturbed and the entire stock of bees killed after an offender or offenders damaged hives at the Bodelwyddan Castle orchard.
‘The offender or offenders scattered the hives around the location and damaged the frames.
‘They would have suffered bee stings as a result of disturbing the bees.’