Adorable walrus Freya could be put down after idiotic humans coaxed her to shore for SELFIES
OLSOFJORD, NORWAY: Norwegian authorities have threatened to put down a beloved Walrus for attracting a big crowd with her charm. The mammoth 1,300lb (600 KG) young female walrus, nicknamed 'Freya,' faces being put down amid fears of putting itself and the public in danger. The walrus has won the public's hearts after being spotted sunbathing at Oslofjord, climbing into boats and getting close to tourists. Freya, whose name is a reference to the Norse goddess of beauty and love, grabbed headlines since July 17 when she was first spotted in the waters of the Norwegian capital. Authorities said that she may endanger onlookers, ignoring warnings to stay away from her.
Freya has been filmed chasing a duck, attacking a swan and more often than not, dozing on boats and swimming alongside people who coaxing her to shore for selfies. The public's reckless behaviour and failure to follow the authorities' recommendations could put lives in danger', a spokeswoman for the agency, Nadia Jdaini said. The agency said Freya's welfare had clearly deteriorated. They worry she may be a danger to people and suspect she's under stress from humans provoking her. "In the meantime, the distance recommendations and clarifications about not swimming with the walrus are repeated, we would again strongly recommend that the public keep their distance where the walrus has been observed and not bathe with it. It is for one's own safety and with animal welfare in mind," Jdaini said. Norway's Fisheries agency is closely following Freya in a patrol boat.
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"The fact that the walrus has become an attraction escalates the need for further measures. Our biggest fear is that people could get hurt. We are now exploring other measures, and euthanasia may be a real alternative," Jdaini added. Despite the recommendations, some curious onlookers have continued to approach her. They have proceeded to swim with the walrus, take photographs close to the mammal and throwing things at her. "Her health has clearly declined and that it is not getting enough rest. The experts we have consulted now suspect that the animal is stressed," Jdaini said.
Walruses can sleep up to 20 hours a day and they normally eat molluscs, small fish, shrimps and crabs. While they don't normally attack people, they can if they feel threatened, said authorities. The Directorate of Fisheries' assessment is that the public's negligent behaviour and failure to follow the recommendations from the authorities can endanger life and health.
Big story in Norway this summer is a walrus we've named Freya has made it to our shores and is touring the country, laying around and sinking boats pic.twitter.com/rQolsxd88b
— Wild Geerters (@steinkobbe) July 19, 2022
While she's caused a headache for some local boat owners, Freya has become quite the attraction with almost daily updates from local media and the public about her sightings. Director of Fisheries, Frank Bakke-Jensen, said that moving Freya would be difficult and if she was euthanised, it would be for safety reasons. Bakke-Jensen said, "It is a wild animal that is far from its natural habitat. Then it is unpredictable how it will act. Above all, we ask that people listen to what we say, take the recommendations seriously and keep a good distance.