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The Honey Hunters<\/h1>\n
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By Chadd McGlone<\/p>\n
Chapel Hill, NC, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The world\u2019s largest mangrove forest is located in southwestern Bangladesh<\/strong> along its border with India. Few forests remain in this area, due to agricultural development in the fertile delta. One of the last preserved tracts constitutes the Sundarbans National Park. In addition to providing a home for mangroves, the Sundarbans also serves as a habitat for many animals:<\/p>\n Speaking of insects, the giant honey bee, the world’s largest, most aggressive bee, produces its prized honey there.<\/p>\n In order to collect this honey, hundreds of local fishermen take a three-week break from their day jobs. In\u00a0boats containing teams of 7 to 10 people, the fishermen travel the muddy saltwater creeks that crisscross the thick mangrove forest. Every moment of their journey poses a potential danger. The biggest risk comes from the Bengal tigers, which kill at least 15 people each season.<\/p>\n Safeguards<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Practices have developed over generations to safeguard the honey gatherers. For example, before beginning their expedition, the men pray to the forest god Bonbibi for protection. The honey collectors also wear masks or loose-fitting headscarves to provide attacking tigers with a harmless place to bite. Despite their best efforts, nearly every collector has a story to tell about a tiger encounter, many of which left deep scars as mementos.<\/p>\n Spotting a hive high in the branches of a mangrove tree is an easy task given that they can be up to nine feet in diameter. First, team members light a fire to drive the bees away. Next, the best climber scurries up the tree to collect the honey and honeycomb. While he climbs, the remaining hunters clap their hands and blow horns to fend off any tigers that might be stalking them.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ text_font_size=”9px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Satellite view of Sundarbans National Park. Photo credit: NASA Earth Observatory<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Income<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n An individual honey collector will harvest about four maunds of honey (one maund equals 82.3 pounds) and is paid BDT 5,800\u20136,700 (Bangladeshi taka) each season (one US dollar is worth about 122 taka).<\/p>\n Honey or not, that\u2019s some pretty sweet cash!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/giant-honey-bee-close-up.jpeg” alt=”inflating the balloon” title_text=”giant honey bee close up” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/giant-honey-bee-hive.jpeg” alt=”hot air balloon in the sky” title_text=”giant honey bee hive” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Slideshow” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Are you a teacher who’s interested in telling this story to your students? Here’s a slideshow<\/a> you can use to get started.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Learning Activity:<\/p>\n Sample Problems:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Extension Questions” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Mangrove forests have been shown to sustain many other types of human activity. What are some of them? Which ones do you think are the most important to the health of the planet as a whole?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n\n
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