A recent trip down the Kapas River through the centre of Harapan Rainforest gave me fantastic views of the wild bee colonies hanging below the branches of the tall trees towering above the forest canopy. One tree may have dozens of combs. Being so high up, the combs are protected from most of the predators who would like to get to the honey and bee larvae. But some creatures specialise in feeding off these colonies including bee-eaters and honey buzzards, and humans of course.
We stopped at a riverside dwelling to stretch our legs. There had recently been some honey gathered, and there was a large bucket of delicious forest honey, highly scented from the nectar of the tropical flowers the bees had foraged on.
The honey-hunters climb 40-50m above the forest floor, completely unaided. The bees are dispersed with a smoking torch and the comb cut down into a bucket. It’s how it has been done for generations, and provides rural communities a sustainable supply of a seasonal, sweet treat.
Tropical Forest Conservation Manager, RSPB