Most people are aware that bears have an inclination for honey, but not many would think that these animals possess discerning taste buds. In a fascinating discovery, a Turkish beekeeper recently learned that his thieving bear visitors prefer the world’s most expensive honey.
Harassed by Hungry Bears
Ibrahim Sedef, an engineer and beekeeper from Trabzon in Turkey, found himself at wit’s end trying to protect his honey supply from a determined group of local bears. Despite building specialized storage houses and metal cages, Sedef couldn’t seem to keep his apiary safe from their clutches.
Over a period of three years, he estimates that these furry intruders may have cost him more than $10,000 worth of honey.
An Ingenious Experiment
Sedef decided to take matters into his own hands and conducted a unique experiment to understand the bears’ preferences better. He set up four bowls containing different types of sweet treats – flower, chestnut, and Anzer honey, along with one bowl of cherry jam.
A Surprising Revelation
The footage captured during the experiment revealed something quite astonishing: The bears were no ordinary honey-loving animals; they had expensive tastes. Their favorite choice was none other than the luxurious Anzer honey, believed to be the most expensive honey in the world.
This rare honey is only produced in the Anzer plateau region of Turkey, collected by bees that predominantly feed on nectar from around 90 different kinds of flowers. Known to cost over $300 per pound, it is held in high esteem both by gourmet enthusiasts and those seeking its potential health benefits.
Curative Qualities of Anzer Honey
Beyond its exquisite taste, Anzer honey has long been associated with numerous healing properties. Some people believe it can help soothe various ailments and conditions, including:
- Stomach pains
- Hair loss
- Wound treatment
With such an impressive resume, it’s no wonder the persistent bears targeted this specific type of honey!
A Savvy New Approach to Apiary Management
In light of Sedef’s remarkable findings, the beekeeper plans to make some changes in his apiary management system. He now intends to place lower-quality honey outside his hives to distract the bears and keep them from stealing the more expensive and valuable Anzer honey.
The Impact of Climate Change on Bears
Growing bear intrusions into human settlements may be linked to climate change, leading to a reduction in their natural habitats and food sources. Bears’ expanding search for sustenance might increase instances where they interact with humans, potentially putting both parties at risk.
Learning from the Natural World
While these curious, honey-craving bears have caused Sedef quite a bit of stress and financial damage, their sophisticated palates have undoubtedly taught him a valuable lesson: not every creature is easily satisfied by sugar-laden cherry jam! Sometimes, even animals desire the finer things in life.
Moving forward with a newfound understanding of bears’ preferences, Sedef can now take informed steps toward protecting his cherished honey supply – and perhaps continue learning more about the intriguing animals that visit his apiary time and time again.
Allan is out in the field, at the heart of the action. Specializing in local reports and in-depth investigations, he has a knack for revealing the stories behind our city’s facades.