According to Norwegian officials, a 1,300-pound walrus famous for her sunbathing antics in Oslo is now in danger of being put to death because she could threaten bystanders who disregard signs advising them to keep away from her.
In July, when people observed Freya the walrus relaxing on recreational boats parked close to Oslo, the capital of Norway, and almost sinking the boats as she hopped aboard for some sun, she became an instant online sensation. Freya’s internet fan following is expanding thanks to videos showing her belly-flopping aboard boats, dozing off, and chasing ducks.
But on Thursday, Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries issued a strong warning to the throngs that had gathered in Oslo to connect with her, saying that they had been acting in a “negligent manner” and disobeying instructions to keep their distance.
Nadia Jdaini, the directorate’s senior communications adviser, said in the statement, “We are currently investigating other methods, where euthanasia may be a viable option.” “Our biggest fear is that people could get hurt,” Jdaini added.
According to the directorate, walruses typically don’t pose a threat to humans but may attack if they feel threatened or don’t get enough rest.According to the group, Freya is “not always as stocky and awkward as one may get the sense while she is sleeping.”
According to the directorate, a veterinarian has already determined that Freya isn’t getting enough sleep and that specialists have determined that she is “stressed.” This summer, the body has issued over a dozen advisories about Freya, including “Need peace and quiet” and “Keep your distance from the walrus”
The group said that individuals are still attempting to sunbathe with Freya in the fjord and that youngsters are still coming up close to her near the water. The directorate said that in order to ensure safe distances around the walrus, it was also collaborating with the police.
According to the BBC, which quoted the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, she was originally noticed in Norway about 2019 and has since apparently been spotted multiple times in the UK, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
However, the danger posed by individuals swarming around her wasn’t noticed by officials until she landed in Oslo in July. Being so far south of the Arctic, where walruses generally live in herds, it is unusual to see a lone walrus playing about.
Similar to Freya, a celebrity walrus by the name of Wally was seen sinking boats off the coast of Ireland last year. Wally has swum 2,500 kilometres around the western European coast to as far as Spain, thus he seems to have greater travel experience.
