Freya the walrus is pictured sitting on a ship in Frognerkilen in Oslo, Norway, on July 18. Authorities in Norway stated on Sunday that they’ve euthanized the walrus that had drawn crowds of spectators within the Oslo Fjord after concluding it posed a danger to people.
Tor Erik Schrøder/NTB Scanpix by way of AP
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Tor Erik Schrøder/NTB Scanpix by way of AP
Freya the walrus is pictured sitting on a ship in Frognerkilen in Oslo, Norway, on July 18. Authorities in Norway stated on Sunday that they’ve euthanized the walrus that had drawn crowds of spectators within the Oslo Fjord after concluding it posed a danger to people.
Tor Erik Schrøder/NTB Scanpix by way of AP
BERLIN — Authorities in Norway have euthanized a walrus that had drawn crowds of spectators within the Oslo Fjord after concluding that it posed a danger to people.
The 600-kilogram (1,320-pound) feminine walrus, identified affectionately as Freya, grew to become a preferred attraction in Norway in current weeks, regardless of warnings from officers that folks ought to chorus from getting shut and posing for footage with the large marine mammal. Freya favored to clamber on small boats, inflicting injury to them.
Walruses are protected and as not too long ago as final month officers stated they hoped Freya would go away of her personal accord and that euthanasia can be a final resort.
Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries stated Freya was put down early Sunday “primarily based on an general evaluation of the continued risk to human security.”
“By 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. “Subsequently, the Directorate has concluded, the likelihood for potential hurt to individuals was excessive and animal welfare was not being maintained.”
The pinnacle of the directorate, Frank Bakke-Jensen, stated different choices — together with shifting the animal elsewhere — have been thought of. However authorities concluded it wasn’t a viable possibility.
A walrus named Freya is pictured on the waterfront in Frognerstranda in Oslo, Norway, on July 18.
Tor Erik Schrøder/NTB Scanpix by way of AP
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Tor Erik Schrøder/NTB Scanpix by way of AP
A walrus named Freya is pictured on the waterfront in Frognerstranda in Oslo, Norway, on July 18.
Tor Erik Schrøder/NTB Scanpix by way of AP
“Now we have sympathies for the truth that the choice may cause a response from the general public, however I’m agency that this was the proper name,” Bakke-Jensen stated. “Now we have nice regard for animal welfare, however human life and security should take priority.”
Atlantic walruses usually stay within the Arctic. It’s uncommon however not extraordinary for them to journey into the North and Baltic Seas. One other walrus, nicknamed Wally, was seen final yr on seashores and even a lifeboat dock in Wales and elsewhere.
