Bear Damages Inventory for Local Company

A hungry black bear caused more than $25,000 in damage and lost production for a Lovell company when it tore through bee hives near the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area.
Ben Zeller, whose family owns Queen Bee Honey in Lovell, told the Powell Tribune that Queen Bee produces about 200,000 pounds of honey a year, mainly to make candies. Because of the bear, Zeller says the hives are a total loss and will need to be rebuilt next year.
The business has contacted its insurance company and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the state has agreed to foot a portion of the costs.
To make matters worse, the hail storm that passed through the area last week caused more damage to the business. An upstairs window at their storefront on Main Street was broken, but otherwise the candy operation itself was unaffected.
Despite the setbacks, Zeller says business is good for Queen Bee Gardens, which opened in downtown Lovell in 1976. The company opened a branch in Greybull last year and the candy business is growing.