Beekeepers with passion

These bees even recognize “traffic signs”

Ernst Brandl looks after his bee colonies in the Waldviertel.

(Bild: Imre Antal)

Perhaps the smartest bees in the country are buzzing in Krumau am Kamp in the district of Krems. Because they recognize the symbols on the hive and follow them.

"Bees are amazing creatures and their intelligence never ceases to amaze me. A large part of their brain memorizes distinctive points in the landscape they fly over. Including character recognition," explains top lawyer Ernst Brandl, who is not in the courtroom in summer, but is instead passionately tending to his 120 bee colonies in the Waldviertel.

As an enthusiastic beekeeper, he reads his honey suppliers' every wish from their antennae. And this also includes symbolic "traffic signs" - a different one above each hive. "My protégés recognize these exactly - and diligently deliver their valuable nectar," explains Brandl, who has embedded his special Mielo honey in a biodiversity project for an ecologically good cause.

The nectar collectors recognize his "traffic signs".

(Bild: Antal Imre)

Ecological cycle from the Bee-Keeper
His noble environmental goal: agricultural land is freed from pesticides through leasing, among other things, thereby promoting biodiversity. This is financed by organic bee-friendly honey production. A well thought-out ecological cycle. "I actually see myself as a biodiversity manager and the bees as my allies," smiles the likeable bee keeper, who has already allowed 35 hectares to blossom in paradise for his protégés.