Despite repeated calls for the public to keep their distance from the water walrus – a 600-kilogram (1,300-pound) young female nicknamed Freya – the mammal continues to attract large crowds, the fisheries directorate said. He posted a photo of a group of onlookers crowding around the animal. “Reckless behavior by the public and failure to follow the authorities’ recommendations could put lives at risk,” said Nadia Jdaini, spokeswoman for the fisheries agency. “We are now investigating other measures and euthanasia may be a real alternative.” Freya, named after the Norse goddess of beauty and love, has been making headlines since July 17 when she was first spotted in the waters off the Norwegian capital. Freya gets on a boat in Frognerkilen Bay, Oslo. Photo: NTB/Reuters Walruses usually live in the even more northern latitudes of the Arctic. In between long naps – a walrus can sleep up to 20 hours a day – Freya has been filmed chasing a duck, attacking a swan and, more often than not, sleeping on boats struggling to support her bulk. Images of her climbing aboard naval vessels sparked an outpouring of adoration on Twitter. As one marine biologist put it in a video about Freya: “Seeing a walrus on land is like seeing a cow zipped up in a sleeping bag.” If you’re having a bad day, try going to Youtube and searching for “Freya Walrus Norway”. This majestic creature is now my spirit animal lmao. https://t.co/oEbASxiCM6 — Zakwan Khidzir (@zakwan_khidzir) August 7, 2022 Amid concerns that the celebrity walrus could be euthanized, some urged people to follow the authorities’ advice and leave Freya alone so she can live. I will be so angry if Freya (our walrus) is euthanized because people are bothering her while not listening to the advice to “leave her alone” — Mali (@maliramsfjell) August 11, 2022 Despite the recommendations, some curious onlookers continued to approach her, sometimes with children nearby, to take pictures. “Her health has clearly deteriorated,” Jdaini said. “The walrus is not getting enough rest and the experts we have consulted now suspect that the animal is stressed.” A protected species, walruses typically eat molluscs, small fish, shrimp and crabs. They don’t usually attack people, but they can if they feel threatened, according to authorities.
