A walrus that has become a tourist attraction in Norway has been shot down after people repeatedly ignored requests to stop it.
A 600-pound animal named Freya became a social media sensation this summer after several viral videos emerged of her jumping on a boat and sunbathing.
Unlike most other walruses, Freya is not afraid of humans, and her machinations have drawn large numbers of people to the Oslofjord, putting her and them in danger.
Last week, the Norwegian Fisheries Authority warned the public to keep their distance after reports of people swimming with walruses, throwing objects at them or taking pictures dangerously close to them.
Police were forced to close the bathing area after a walrus dragged a woman into the water, according to local media.
The Directorate finally made the decision to euthanize Freya after a photo surfaced of her surrounded by people, including several children.
“The decision to cull the walrus was made on the basis of a holistic assessment of the ongoing threat to human safety,” Frank Bakke Jensen, director general of the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, said in a statement.
“On-site observations last week revealed that the public is ignoring continued advice to keep a clear distance from Val,” he continued.
“Therefore, the General Directorate concluded that the potential for harm to humans is high and animal welfare is not protected.”
He added that other options were considered, including getting Freya out of the fjord, but were ruled out due to Freya’s health.
Named after the Norse goddess of beauty and love, Freya was first discovered in the Norwegian capital in July.
Walruses typically live in the Arctic, but walruses often migrate between various shallow waters during the summer. Freya was seen in the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden earlier this year before finally arriving in Oslo. . .
Walruses are often wary of humans and stick to the edge of coastal areas.
“Usually walruses show up on some islands, but they quickly leave because they’re afraid of people,” said Rene Eh, a biology professor who studied Freya’s movements.
However, Freya “is not afraid of people,” he added. That’s why she won’t go.
Posting on Facebook after Freya’s death, AE denounced the board’s decision as “too hasty”.
He said that he had his own boat to track their movements and that the expected rain would disperse the crowds and give Freya a chance to get out of the fjord on her own.
“As previous experience shows, Freya sooner or later came out of the Oslofjord, so killing her was completely unnecessary, in my opinion,” he wrote.
“Norway is the country that killed Freya after being in the North Sea for more than two years.
PETA Vice President Mimi Behechi told Metro: Take a selfie and don’t leave him alone.
“Fines and imprisonment for those who treat living beings as beings would be a more humane option than killing an animal trying to live, but the job is done.”
“Julia’s death shows that animals often sacrifice their lives for selfies, so PETA is responding to respect all animals and leave wildlife alone.”
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Source: Metro
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