Bees are essential to our survival - but new research shows that less than half of the British public recognise them as sentient beings with the ability to have physical and emotional experiences - be they positive or negative. In reality, scientific evidence shows that bees exhibit self-awareness, social learning, play behaviour and the ability to solve complex problems.
On World Bee Day (20 May) a wildlife charity is calling on all of us to play our part in keeping bees alive and buzzing.
“Bees really are incredible insects - they do so much for us and have such a great level of understanding that people take for granted. Bees can perform incredibly complex tasks, have fascinating social lives, and are essential pollinators. It’s important to make sure we take care of them," explains Rebecca Machin, wildlife expert at the UK's RSPCA.
Bees are some of the most effective pollinators we have - not just helping plants to grow, but helping crops including broccoli, cabbages and apples to thrive.
In fact, bees pollinate about 75 per cent of leading crops globally and contribute to a third of the world's food production. With recent fuel shortages threatening food shortages worldwide, helping the crops on our own doorsteps is essential- and easier than you might think.
