Honey-Making Stingless Bees in the Peruvian Amazon Become the First Insects to Gain Legal Rights

Two local ordinances granted rights to at least 175 stingless bee species in Peru, which are culturally and spiritually significant to Indigenous peoples and help maintain a healthy rainforest ecosystem

Sarah Kuta - Daily Correspondent

January 2, 2026



Many stingless bees are native to Peru, where they pollinate the Amazon's diverse plants and food crops. Luis García

Wild, stingless bees have been granted legal rights in some parts of Peru, the latest effort in the growing global movement to protect animals by giving them similar status as people and companies.

Satipo, a province in central Peru, passed the first ordinance granting legal rights to stingless bees within the Avireri Vraem Biosphere Reserve in October, per Inside Climate News’ Teresa Tomassoni. And last month, the town of Nauta in northeastern Peru followed suit, reports the Guardian’s Damien Gayle.

Under the new laws, stingless bees now have the fundamental right to exist and flourish in a healthy environment, without pollution, habitat loss, climate change, human activity or other threats getting in the way of their survival. Humans can also file lawsuits on the insects’ behalf.

Satipo, a province in central Peru, passed the first ordinance granting legal rights to stingless bees within the Avireri Vraem Biosphere Reserve in October, per Inside Climate News’ Teresa Tomassoni. And last month, the town of Nauta in northeastern Peru followed suit, reports the Guardian’s Damien Gayle.

Under the new laws, stingless bees now have the fundamental right to exist and flourish in a healthy environment, without pollution, habitat loss, climate change, human activity or other threats getting in the way of their survival. Humans can also file lawsuits on the insects’ behalf.

More:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/honey-making-stingless-bees-in-the-peruvian-amazon-become-the-first-insects-to-gain-legal-rights-180987937/