Walrus Freya who became attraction in Norway's Oslo Fjord put down

[Eugene]

Also: Walrus that attracted crowds in Oslo fjord euthanised: officials (Agence France-Presse)

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Source: BBC

Walrus Freya who became attraction in Norway's Oslo Fjord put down

14 August 2022


(Getty Images)

A walrus that had become a popular attraction in the Oslo Fjord has been put down out of concern for the safety of the public, Norwegian officials say.

The walrus, nicknamed Freya, rose to fame after clambering on to boats to sunbathe - sometimes sinking them.

People refused warnings not to get too close to the 1,300lb (600kg) animal, putting her and themselves at risk.

On one occasion, police blocked off a bathing area after the walrus chased a woman into the water, local media say.

Last week, Norway's fisheries ministry issued a photograph of a large group of people, including children, standing within touching distance of the animal.

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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62539485


The fisheries ministry released a picture of people gathered very close to the walrus, with faces blurred to protect privacy. (Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries)

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Source: Agence France Presse

Walrus that attracted crowds in Oslo fjord euthanised: officials

Issued on: 14/08/2022 - 13:20
Modified: 14/08/2022 - 13:18

Oslo (AFP) – A walrus nicknamed Freya that attracted crowds while basking in the sun of the Oslo fjord was euthanised, Norway officials said on Sunday.

"The decision to euthanise was taken on the basis of a global evaluation of the persistent threat to human security," the head of Norway's Fisheries Directorate Frank Bakke-Jensen said in a statement.

"We carefully examined all the possible solutions. We concluded that we could not guarantee the well-being of the animal by any of the means available," he said.

Officials had previously said they were considering euthanasia for the mammal because repeated appeals to the public to keep their distance from the young female weighing 600 kilograms (1,300 pounds) had been in vain.

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Read more: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220814-walrus-that-attracted-crowds-in-oslo-fjord-euthanised-officials

[Phoenix61]

1. I don't understand why they couldn't have relocated her.

They do it with all kinds of animals.

[Eugene]

3. That option was "discarded out of concern for the welfare of the walrus."

per the BBC article.

This has happened to other wild animals that aren't scared off by humans.

[Ocelot II]

2. That makes me sad. It was the fault of the people who kept trying to get too close,

not the animal. I don’t think she could be relocated, though, because she kept coming back to populated areas.

[2naSalit]

8. Probably because people...

Were also feeding her. They will do this no matter how many obstacles and warnings you have in place, people will fucking do this. After a few summers in a large national park and being responsible for informing and deterring people from themselves, they will go out of their way to defy the rules thinking it makes them cool or something. Just look at how many fucking idiots get flung by bison every summer.

When people go into places where bears live, they fail to learn about their own safety, they are stupid with how they behave in bear territory and end up attracting bear attacks. The bear always ends up dead.

People don't seem to have a clue as to how to behave indoors or out.

[MuseRider]

4. Why didn't they relocate the people?

A big sign....You people are too stupid to keep yourselves and your children safe so we are no longer allowing you into this space. Violators can be harmed or killed by the wildlife. People who violate this will be fined (large amount).

Our National Parks need to do the same thing. I simply cannot understand how stupid you must be to violate the signs, it isn't because petting the cute buffalo will make you stinky but because it can make you dead and STILL they cannot be bothered to go without a selfie or a picture of their kid moments before he gets gored and they sue.

[NoMoreRepugs]

6. Another tick mark on the list of how stupid the average person is.

[sue4e3]

5. humans suck

this devastates me . I know that sounds silly but I knew when I saw her on face book we would kill her. It's all we ever do is kill and destroy. I automatically think that the person who authorized the murder was a vile piece of shit who deserves far worse than he will get. If someone died because of how stupid they were they would have deserved it. I can't stand people. The walrus deserved to live. I guess my rant's over

[Delphinus]

13. ...

[montanacowboy]

7. We killed the walrus

for the good of the walrus

Give me a fucking break - yes, walrus you are better off dead

Nature will respond in kind to the human race and that day is not far off

[2naSalit]

9. That's what they say...

Every time they kill a bear or two because stupid humans were stupid.

We don't deserve to survive the extinction we've brought upon ourselves.

[sinkingfeeling]

10. +100

[bahboo]

11. so they kill the animal? goddammit...

[Rhiannon12866]

12. ...