According to foreign media reports, the Norwegian authorities said on the 14th that they had euthanized Freya, a walrus who had recently become popular in the local area. Authorities said they knew the decision would provoke a variety of public reactions, but were convinced it was the right decision. Frank Barker Jensen, director of Norwegian Fisheries' Directorate, said at a news conference that "euthanasia is performed for walruses because of its continuing threat to human security".
Walrus Freya boarded a boat on July 20, 2022 in Fogna Kieren Bay in Oslo, Norway
This summer, Walrus Freya went viral on social media. The 600-kilogram young female walrus, which has been living in the Oslo Fjord on the southeast coast of Norway, does not seem to be afraid of humans, and videos of her climbing into a boat to sunbathe have been widely circulated on social media. Its harmless appearance, its cute sleeping position when climbing into a dinghy for sunbathing, and its naughty pursuit of ducks and swans all attract the attention of the local people, who use the norse mythical goddess Freya as the name of the walrus, which also represents its love.
Aae, a professor of biology at South-East University in Norway, said that usually marine mammals are wary of humans and generally stay on the outer edge of the Norwegian coast, where the last time a walrus was seen was in the distant 2013. "It's too rare." Aae says — that's probably why so many Norwegians flock to Frea.
"Usually walruses appear on some islands, but they leave quickly because they are afraid of people." Aae introduced. "But Freya isn't afraid of people, and I actually even think she likes people, which is probably why she doesn't leave here."
Norwegian authorities have repeatedly warned the public to stay away from Freya over the past week, saying they have repeatedly seen tourists swimming with Freya, throwing objects at it and taking photos close to it, with a very high risk. Nadia Jdaini, a spokesman for the Norwegian Fisheries Agency, said in an email that "the public ignores the current suggestion that walruses should be distanced". The Norwegian Fisheries Agency has also said it is considering multiple solutions, including moving Freya out of the fjord, but the complexity of such operations makes them understand that this is not a viable option.
"We know that this decision (referring to the implementation of euthanasia) may cause public sympathy and opposition, but I firmly believe it is the right decision." Norwegian Fisheries Director General Bakjsen said. "We take animal protection very seriously, but human safety and life must come first." He said, and then posted a picture of a large group of people just one step away from the walrus Frea.
After the news of Freya's death was announced, Aae, a professor of biology at South-East University in Norway, wrote a document condemning the authorities' decision to euthanize it as "too hasty", saying fisheries workers were monitoring Freya with a patrol boat to ensure public safety, and said that all past experience showed that Freya would leave Oslo Bay sooner or later, and that "euthanasia is completely unnecessary".
Currently, Freya's body is being handed over to a veterinarian for examination and further processing.
Nine Pai News intern reporter Cen Yuxin
【Source: Jiupai News】
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