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World First: Bees Become First Insects to Gain Legal Rights

Published February 11, 2026, 14:17
World First: Bees Become First Insects to Gain Legal Rights

Native stingless bees in the Peruvian Amazon have become the first insects globally to gain legally recognized rights. This decision is a significant step for nature protection and recognizes the crucial role of bees as pollinators for maintaining the biodiversity of tropical forests. The bees are threatened by climate change, deforestation, pesticides, and competition from European bees. The initiative stemmed from research by biochemist Rosa Vásquez Espinoza, who discovered medicinal properties in the bees' honey. The decision is considered historic, as it recognizes bees as subjects with rights.