The Ligurian bee (Apis mellifera ligustica) was brought to Kangaroo Island in the early 1880's and released into the environment, adapting to the temperate climate. The pure strain of Ligurian bee now exists in the natural state only on Kangaroo Island and is an invaluable genetic resource preserved for future generations.
Environmental niche

Conservation of the pure Ligurian bee is vital to the world apiary industry, providing a benchmark for measuring hybridization of honey bees and as a genetic pool of pure Ligurian bees to enable queen breeders to maintain amongst commercially bred honey bees the docility and productivity for which the Ligurian bee is famous.
History of sanctuary
The origin and role of a queen bee
Ligurian queen bee breeder

 Island apiarists produce superb honeys from the flowering eucalypts and other Australian and introduced flora. Pollen is gathered from native vegetation and farmland flowering species, improving pollination for improved germination of seeds. Pollen gathered for the hives provides the protein source for bee larvae. Bees also collect and process resins from vegetation into propolis, which is used by the hives against bacteria and to seal holes. Propolis has been used for many years in traditional medicines for its antibacterial properties.
Nectar sources

Hog Bay Apiary produces a range of certified organic liquid honeys (accredited by National Association of Sustainable Agriculture, Australia), and a traditional creamed honey.
Honey Types