In Alfredo Santiago's Hands, Peru's Bees are Safe

Thought Question: What motivates you to help others or make a difference in your community?

By trade, Alfredo Santiago of Lima, Peru, is a beekeeper. He prefers the term “bee rescuer,” however.

“I do it out of passion, to defend these animals that are so important to nature,” Santiago told The Associated Press.

At any given time, Santiago’s patio plays home to 400,000 or more bees. He’s built two dozen wooden apiary boxes. Each has honey plates and water droppers for the wayward insects. They do not naturally swarm his yard. Rather, Santiago is on speed dial for anyone with a bee problem in the city. 

“It is volunteer work. Some plant trees, others collect abandoned dogs or cats,” Santiago explained. If someone finds a beehive in their attic, or a displaced swarm carpeting their driveway, they call Santiago. He puts on a white beekeeper suit. Then he hauls his smoker and capture box to the spot. Once there, he carefully seeks the queen. Once she’s packed away, the rest of the bees follow. He’s then able to ferry them to his yard. The bees remain in his yard until they’re strong enough as a hive to survive in the wild. Then Santiago drives them into the forests at the foot of the Andes mountains.

Oh, and he does it all for free.

Santiago estimates that he’s saved 4 million bees since he began offering his services in 2020. In return, the bees pollinate the flowers of his garden and produce honey, which Santiago can sell. It’s a win-win for the 35-year-old father, whose daughter, age 3, already hopes to follow in his footsteps — fully suited and sting-free, of course. 

Photo of bee keeping from Unsplash courtesy of Annie Spratt.