Capturing swarming bees or relocating them from an area where they may be destroyed as a nuisance by a property owner is laudable, this “bee beard” crap is incredibly destructive. Every time a hive is moved, even when the hive chooses to swarm, dozens of bees die. They are self-sacrificial and will cluster in ways that kill off certain members to preserve the queen. No matter how delicately they are handled, the hive will be greatly impacted; they’re basically refugees at that point. This is like rescuing dogs to then turn around and use as fighters.
EDIT: Having said that, these best are probably far better off than in the care of most beekeepers who employ all manner of destructive and inhumane practices. They should just maybe rethink how their silly photo shoot affects their “friends”.
Then again, maybe this was a rescue operation that they took an opportunity with. I’m not exactly enraged by this, it’s just a little disingenuous to label themselves as such “friends” of bees.
