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Norway euthanizes Freya, walrus who rose to fame for sinking boats
Norway euthanized Freya, a walrus who became popular for sinking a vessel
Norwegian authorities euthanized Freya, a 1,300-pound walrus who rose to fame this summer for sinking boats, they announced Sunday, citing public safety concerns caused by the crowds she attracted.
Norwegian authorities announced on Sunday that Freya, a 1,300-pound walrus who became popular this summer for sinking a vessel, was euthanized on the grounds that she had attracted large crowds and raised public safety concerns.
"The decision to euthanize the walrus was made based on an overall assessment of the continued threat to human safety," Fisheries Director Frank Bakke-Jensen said in a statement.
Fisheries Director Frank Buck-Jensen said in a statement: "The decision to euthanize walruses is based on a comprehensive assessment of the ongoing threat to human security."
The walrus rose to fame over the last few months as she traveled the country's coastline, damaging boats and ships after having climbed aboard to rest for days or weeks at a time.
The walrus has made a name for itself in the past few months as it travels along the Norwegian coastline, climbing into boats from time to time to rest for days or weeks, damaging boats large and small.
Key vocabulary
1. euthanize: to kill (a person or animal) painlessly, esp to relieve suffering from an incurable illness 使(人或动物)安乐死
- Beyond that, wildlife managers sometimes euthanize bears because of public safety concerns.
2. walrus: A walrus is a large, fat animal which lives in the sea. It has two long teeth called tusks that point downward. 海象
- The object is simple — the last walrus on the ice wins the gold medal and a chance to bask in the gold rays of the sun
3. Rise to fame: To become famous
- He rose to fame in the 90s as a TV presenter.
4. travel: to make a journey, usually over a long distance 长途行走
- As a young man he had travelled (= been to many parts of) the world.
5. aboard: Board the ship (or plane, bus, train, etc.)
- The flight attendant welcomed us aboard.
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Norwegian media outlets chronicled Freya's travels this summer, and Norwegians flocked to the Oslo coast in recent weeks to watch her eat, sleep and rest.
Norwegian media documented Freya's trip this summer, and Norwegians have flocked to the oslo coast in recent weeks to watch her eat, sleep and rest.
Adding to the attraction was the fact that walruses typically live in herds in the Arctic, making her solo presence off the capital — about 1,200 miles from where scientists believe she was from — all the more unexpected.
Even more intriguing is that in the Arctic, walruses usually live in groups, which makes her appear alone near the Norwegian capital — about 1,200 miles from what scientists think is her hometown — all the more surprising.
Experts said she was attracted to the boats because they reminded her of Arctic ice floes. They advised boat owners to avoid her and to park their vessels so they would be harder for her to reach.
Experts say she was attracted to the ships because they reminded her of the Ice Floes of the Arctic. They advised the owner to avoid her and stop the boat so that she would have a harder time getting closer.
More walruses are hunting on land as climate change causes ice in the Arctic to melt, increasing competition for food, which may explain the extent of Freya’s travels.
As climate change causes Arctic ice to melt, more and more walruses are hunting on land, increasing competition for food, which may explain the extent of Freya's travels.
The Directorate of Fisheries said in a statement last month that “euthanasia is out of the question” and that it was the “last option” given that walruses are a protected species in Norway.
The Fisheries Council said in a statement last month that "euthanasia is not possible" and that it is a "last resort" given that walruses are a protected species in Norway.