Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1510125
13 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 OCTOBER 2023 YOUR MEDICAL DESTINATION There are many places where you can get medical attention! IF IN DOUBT ABOUT YOUR MEDICAL EMERGENCY Health Centres Treats symptoms which include: Treats symptoms which include: Emergency CALL TELEMEDICINE ON +356 2123 1231 CHEST PAINS HEAVY BLEEDING SEVERE BURNS STROKE NOT BREATHING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS BACK PAIN AND ALL OTHER TYPES OF PAIN IN BONES AND JOINTS FEVER, SORE THROATS, EAR PAIN, COUGH AND COLDS. TUMMY PAINS AND ASSOCIATED SYMPTOMS OF LOOSE STOOLS, CONSTIPATION, OR VOMITING. KARL AZZOPARDI HONEYBEES endemic to the Maltese is- lands are facing imminent extinction, re- search by the MEDIBEES Project shows. The research indicates that of the 47 samples analysed, only six were found to be pure Maltese (Apis mellifera ruttneri). This constitutes only 12.8% of the collect- ed samples. One of Medibees's tasks is to characterize the different honeybee subspecies of the Mediterranean to determine their conser- vation status. As anticipated, most honeybees were hy- bridised with imported Italian honeybees. "At this rate, our endemic subspecies, which is only found in the Maltese Islands, is facing imminent extinction," Fondazzjo- ni għall-Konservazzjoni tan-Naħla Maltija (KNM) said. The study pointed out that many bee- keepers in Malta import ligustica queens from nearby Italy. "By this, they put the genetic integrity of their subspecies at risk," researchers said. In seven samples, bees also shared genet- ic background with Algerian samples. KNM stated the need to address the issue from the roots is now emphasized more than ever, calling for a ban on the impor- tation of foreign honeybees. "Time is of the essence, and we must act promptly before it is too late!" the founda- tion said. It also said it is currently working on im- plementing one of the recommendations, which is to have the Maltese honeybee des- ignated as Malta's national insect by the En- vironment and Resources Authority (ERA). Medibees aims to generate new knowl- edge on the genetics of bees and their ad- aptation to climate change, develop new genetic tools to promote the selection of climate change resilient Apis mellifera breeds, train beekeepers (who are directly involved in the project) to use good man- agement practices, and valorise beekeep- ing products and by-products. Italian bee monarchs driving Maltese queens towards 'extinction' Maltese Honeybee (Apis mellifera ruttneri) Fondazzjoni għall-Konservazzjoni tan-Naħla Maltija want a ban on the importation of foreign queen bees to safeguard the endemic Maltese honeybee from extinction