Thinker Posted October 23, 2003 Posted October 23, 2003 from the NPS morning report. Saguaro National Park (AZ) Africanized Honeybees Attack Visitors On September 1st, a Tucson man and his 13-year-old son were attacked by Africanized honeybees while climbing on a cliff face in the park’s Tucson Mountain District. During the climb, the boy reached for a handhold above him. The rock he grabbed apparently dislodged a portion of the beehive, which neither climber had observed previously. The bees immediately began stinging the younger climber, who was on belay 50 feet up the cliff face. His father quickly lowered him and assisted with removal of his climbing harness. Both father and son were repeatedly stung as they ran back to the trailhead and their parked car, approximately 200 yards away. Other park visitors transported both individuals from the trailhead to a nearby fire station; from there, they were taken by ambulance to a local hospital. The father had been stung over 200 times and was hospitalized overnight. His son was stung about 50 times and was treated and released. The park has contracted with a local bee exterminator to treat and remove the bees. Africanized honeybees (AHBs) are a hybrid between non-native domesticated strains of European honeybees and an African strain and were accidentally released in Brazil in 1957. AHBs were first detected in Arizona in 1993, and at Saguaro in 1994. Although there have been several minor bee incidents since 1994, this is the most significant attack ever recorded at Saguaro. Aggressive behavior in AHBs is generally related to defense of an established colony. AHBs attack swiftly and intensely, and are more likely to sustain a prolonged attack, sometimes following victims up to a mile. Attacking AHBs can deliver 400 to 500 stings in a short time; the accumulated toxin from 500 stings can easily kill the average adult. Quote
Necronomicon Posted October 23, 2003 Posted October 23, 2003 The crux pitches on Resolution Arete at Red Rocks were climbing past the killer bee hives at the base, and near the summit. WAY more scary than any of the climbing. You'd be totally fucked. Quote
Dru Posted October 23, 2003 Posted October 23, 2003 Thinker said: During the climb, the boy reached for a handhold above him. The rock he grabbed apparently dislodged a portion of the beehive, which neither climber had observed previously. Quote
chelle Posted October 23, 2003 Posted October 23, 2003 I remeber a conversation with a couple of older playmates when I was about 5 or 6. There was some article in Time magazine about killer bees and a map with dates projecting their migration. We were trying to figure out how old we'd be when the bees came and everyone was killed. Pretty morbid topic for a group of kids. Now that I think about it I was waaay to serious waaay too early in life. Quote
Winter Posted October 23, 2003 Posted October 23, 2003 ehmmic said: I remeber a conversation with a couple of older playmates when I was about 5 or 6. There was some article in Time magazine about killer bees and a map with dates projecting their migration. We were trying to figure out how old we'd be when the bees came and everyone was killed. Pretty morbid topic for a group of kids. Now that I think about it I was waaay to serious waaay too early in life. The Swarm must have caused your childhood fears! Quote
Alex Posted October 23, 2003 Posted October 23, 2003 Winter said: The Swarm Thats a pretty serious roster of actors there, michael caine, richard chamberlain, and olivia de havilland et al! Quote
rbw1966 Posted October 23, 2003 Posted October 23, 2003 Dru said: Is that Letterman getting ready to send that highball? Quote
Dru Posted October 23, 2003 Posted October 23, 2003 you got something against those with a front tooth space? makes it easier to spit tobacco juice Quote
lummox Posted October 23, 2003 Posted October 23, 2003 ehmmic said: I remeber a conversation with a couple of older playmates when I was about 5 or 6. There was some article in Time magazine about killer bees and a map with dates projecting their migration. We were trying to figure out how old we'd be when the bees came and everyone was killed. Pretty morbid topic for a group of kids. Now that I think about it I was waaay to serious waaay too early in life. but now that you are in junior high have you lightened up a little? Quote
chelle Posted October 24, 2003 Posted October 24, 2003 I think the year was 1975... I would never want to go back to jr. high or high school. Life is so much more fun when you're of legal age and have a few dollars in your pocket. Saw the swarm a few years after that conversation on my neighbors front porch. I remember having nightmares. Why would parents let 9 year olds watch the swarm anyways? Jaws, the Deep, and the suicide scene in Sat. night fever also caused me some stress. It's a wonder I love movies at all today. Quote
ClimbingCowboy Posted October 24, 2003 Posted October 24, 2003 I saw it as a stupid Friday Night Movie on NBC back in '76. Made this then Chicagoland youngster think that Cailfornians were slow'n' stupid when it came to danger. It's a good thing they handed the world's fifth largest economy to a muscleman. The hive on the Giant's Staircase at Broughton's has been properly eliminated - in case you're taking the kids out. Bummer about the dad/son. Good to hear they survived. Quote
EWolfe Posted October 24, 2003 Posted October 24, 2003 Dru said: you got something against those with a front tooth space? makes it easier to spit tobacco juice Main Entry: di·a·ste·ma Pronunciation: "dI-&-'stE-m& Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural di·a·ste·ma·ta /-m&-t&/ Etymology: New Latin, from Late Latin, interval, from Greek diastEma, from diistanai Date: 1854 : a space between teeth in a jaw Quote
catbirdseat Posted October 24, 2003 Posted October 24, 2003 There is a mite that has pretty much wiped out the European honey bee here in Washington, except for domesticated bees that are treated with chemicals by their keepers. So, I wonder if this mite affects the africanized bee? Quote
catbirdseat Posted October 24, 2003 Posted October 24, 2003 Okay, I answered my own question. Mites The Africanized bees may be more resistant to the mite than the European variety. Quote
lummox Posted October 24, 2003 Posted October 24, 2003 too damn cold for killer bees for part of the year in washington anyway. Quote
EWolfe Posted October 24, 2003 Posted October 24, 2003 lummox said: too damn cold for killer bees for part of the year in washington anyway. Unless they are well insulated: Quote
Figger_Eight Posted October 24, 2003 Posted October 24, 2003 Heh heh...you beat me to it. This bee was pretty funny Quote
Thinker Posted October 24, 2003 Author Posted October 24, 2003 ehmmic said: I think the year was 1975... I would never want to go back to jr. high or high school. Life is so much more fun when you're of legal age and have a few dollars in your pocket. Saw the swarm a few years after that conversation on my neighbors front porch. I remember having nightmares. Why would parents let 9 year olds watch the swarm anyways? Jaws, the Deep, and the suicide scene in Sat. night fever also caused me some stress. It's a wonder I love movies at all today. Now I know whose pocket this fell out of at the last pub club I attended.... Quote
chelle Posted October 24, 2003 Posted October 24, 2003 Damn dude. Can you please return that? I really need to look at it periodically to calm my nerves. Good thing that it's getting cold out now and I don't have to worry so much. Quote
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