Walrus Freya who became attraction in Norway's Oslo Fjord put down [View all]

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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