OUTRAGE as Freya the 1,300 pound walrus is EUTHANISED by Norwegian authorities

OUTRAGE as Freya the 1,300 pound walrus is EUTHANISED by Norwegian authorities

Image of Freya the walrus. Credit: Twitter@ChrisGPackham

The internet has gone into meltdown with the news that Freya the walrus has been euthanised by the Norwegian authorities.

Freya the walrus, Norway’s popular 1,300-pound attraction was euthanised by Norwegian authorities early on Sunday, August 14. Last Thursday, August 11, the country’s Directorate of Fisheries warned of this possible outcome. They claimed members of the public were getting too close to her and it was not safe.

“Through on-site observations the past week it was made clear that the public has disregarded the current recommendation to keep a clear distance to the walrus. Therefore, the Directorate has concluded, the possibility for potential harm to people was high, and animal welfare was not being maintained”.

The mammal had become an icon in recent years with her playful antics often getting her into the bad books of some mariners. She would clamber aboard vessels, with her weight sometimes causing them damage, or even sinking them.

Norway was not her only playground. Freya had made appearances in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom in the last few years. She had become a social media legend as well, with posts about her often going viral, and local wildlife experts falling in love with her.

During her time this summer on Norway’s Oslofjord, the friendly walrus had been a massive attraction for both residents and tourists. Fans would approach her near the water to pose for photos, or even get into the water with her.

The government agency saw this behaviour as endangering the creature’s health, as well as that of those who went close to her. This had been pointed out in the statement last Thursday by Nadia Jdaini, the Directorate of Fisheries’ senior communications advisor.

Speaking with the New York Times last Friday, August 12, Vegard Oen Hatten, a spokesman for the Directorate of Fisheries told them that putting Freya down was a ‘last resort’. 

Freya’s death has not been well-received around the world, with incensed users taking to social media to criticise the action taken by the Norwegian authorities.

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Written by

Chris King

Originally from Wales, Chris spent years on the Costa del Sol before moving to the Algarve where he is a web reporter for The Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com

Comments


    • Alan Bowman

      15 August 2022 • 14:48

      Euthanase not euthanise!

      • Guest Writer

        15 August 2022 • 16:48

        According to dictionary definitions, Euthanise is the English spelling of the American word Euthanize which means to submit (a person or animal) to euthanasia

    • John McLean

      15 August 2022 • 15:53

      Is anyone blaming the idiots who were told to stay clear of her but ignored that. They are as much to blame as anyone.

    Comments are closed.