Freya, a social media well-known walrus in Norway, has been euthanized after frenzied onlookers wouldn’t cease attempting to get near her to take footage.
The 1,320-pound feminine walrus turned a well-liked attraction in current weeks — delighting crowds of spectators within the Oslo Fjord by clambering atop of boats, even playfully sinking some — regardless of repeated warnings from officers that onlookers ought to keep away from the huge marine mammal.
As not too long ago as final month officers stated they hoped Freya would go away the populated inlet on her personal accord and that euthanasia would solely be a final resort if there was a danger to people.
Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries stated Freya was put down in a humane method early Sunday “based mostly on an total evaluation of the continued menace to human security.”
“By means of on-site observations the previous week, it was made clear that the general public has disregarded the present suggestion to maintain a transparent distance to the walrus,” it stated.
“Due to this fact, the Directorate has concluded, the likelihood for potential hurt to individuals was excessive and animal welfare was not being maintained.”
Walruses are additionally a protected species.
Authorities stated that folks had been seen swimming with Freya, throwing objects at her, and attempting to get near her for pictures. The Directorate of Fisheries launched a photograph displaying a big crowd of individuals, together with kids, standing very near the walrus.
The pinnacle of the directorate, Frank Bakke-Jensen, stated different choices — together with shifting the hulking walrus elsewhere — had been thought of, however authorities concluded it wasn’t a viable choice due to the “in depth complexity of such an operation.”
“We have now sympathies for the truth that the choice could cause a response from the general public, however I'm agency that this was the proper name,” Bakke-Jensen stated. “We have now nice regard for animal welfare, however human life and security should take priority.”
Rune Aae, a biology professor on the College of South-Japanese Norway who had been monitoring Freya’s sightings, condemned the choice to place down the younger, seemingly wholesome mammal as “too hasty.”
He wrote in a Fb submit that authorities officers had a ship out maintaining tabs on the walrus’ actions and will warn the general public at any time to not have interaction in water actions close to her.
“Freya (would have) ultimately gotten out of the Oslo Fjord, which all earlier expertise has proven, so killing her was, for my part, fully pointless,” he wrote. “Norway is the nation that killed Freya after being round for over two years across the complete North Sea. What a disgrace!”
Freya reached superstar standing far past Norway’s shores this summer time after movies of her climbing on prime of boats in Oslo to bask within the solar went viral.
Freya was videotaped chasing a duck, attacking a swan, and spending hours napping on varied vessels too small to assist her massive body.
Atlantic walruses usually stay within the Arctic, and most are cautious of human, however Freya — named after the Norse goddess of affection and wonder — appeared unafraid of individuals.
It's believed that Freya got here from Freya from Svalbard — a Norwegian archipelago within the Arctic Ocean greater than 1,200 miles away from Oslo.
It's uncommon however not unparalleled for walruses to journey into the North and Baltic Seas. One other walrus, nicknamed Wally, was seen final 12 months on seashores and even a lifeboat dock in Wales and elsewhere.
With Publish Wires
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