Scientists Rediscover Rare Bumblebees On Mount Hood (WATCH)

Scientists rediscovered a rare bumblebee on Mount Hood, which was a common pollinator in the west but mysteriously disappeared 15 years ago.

Funds from the Oregon Zoo Foundation's Future for Wildlife program facilitated Xerces Society biologist Rich Hatfield to spend six weeks identifying bumblebee species in Mount Hood when he discovered more than a dozen of rare western bumblebees near Timberline Lodge during the fourth week.

"In the last 15 years there have only been about 15 sightings of this bumblebee west of the Cascades," Hatfield said. "This discovery suggests that this species might have a chance to repopulate its range."

These rare species of bumblebees were a common pollinator in the west but mysteriously disappeared 15 years ago. The species, commonly known as the western have plummeted in population in recent years. Franklin's bumblebee, a close relative of this species is speculated to have become extinct already.

"One out of every three bites of food that we eat comes from a plant that was pollinated by an animal, and usually those animals are bees," Hatfield said. "The fact that any bee could disappear is a scary proposition. We're approaching a tipping point where our food security will be at stake."

Decline in bumblebee populations has been attributed to many factors, with the introduction of pathogens being held as the chief cause of this decline. Last June, pesticides caused the death of 50,000 bumblebees in Wilsonville. Other reasons for this decline include loss of habitat and climate change.

"Pollinators are critically important to the function of many ecosystems," said David Shepherdson, Oregon Zoo deputy conservation manager. "They provide the seeds and berries that feed our songbirds and mammals. Protecting pollinators helps to protect all wildlife."

The Western bumblebee has been listed as an endangered species and its previous disappearance is not seen as a natural process. According to Hatfield, since their disappearance was caused by human activities, there's hope that this disappearance can be prevented in the future.