Battersea Park Children's Zoo now includes beehives

Battersea Park Children Zoo's has announced it will open an educational apiary in partnership with the London Beekeepers Association (LBKA).

The new area will be home to Western honeybee hives and maintained by the LBKA team.

Members of the LBKA team were invited to BPCZ by animal manager, Jamie Baker, to discuss the educational benefits of being sustainable beekeeping within the zoo.

It is hoped that this will inspire the next generation to take an interest in pollinating insects.

Beneficial insects struggle in London as the number of managed honeybee colonies has doubled in recent years.

An increase in building developments and lack of flora that encourages native pollinators are having a detrimental impact as there has been an increase in competition between insects for diminishing food sources.

BPCZ will share a schedule of when work with the bees and hives will take place for visitors to watch and learn about sustainable bee keeping.

The hives can be found at the back of the zoo, near to the Scottish wildcats.