#walrus #freya #kpassionate
Last week, Freya the Walrus was basking in the sunshine, touring the scenic coastline, and of course... sinking boats. Locals flocked to watch this sunbathing walrus sleep on boats for days or weeks at a time.

This week is different. The walrus who had become an international celebrity…is dead. On Sunday morning, the Norwegian authorities killed Freya, saying that she posed too big a threat to humans who failed to listen to repeated warnings to stay away from her. Moving her out of the area was “too high risk,” officials added.

I STRONGLY disagree. For those of you who might be new to this channel, I am a marine biologist and I have a lot of experience working with walruses. Walruses are my favorite animal of all time. It is my professional opinion that there were other options to protect Freya as well as the public and euthanizing this walrus should NEVER have been entertained.

I am also aware that the Oslo Fjord is home to around 2 million people and it is the tourist season. Walruses are extremely large animals that can be dangerous when provoked or threatened. Personally, I would NEVER enter the water with a walrus. And while it wasn't Freya's fault, it is clear that the walrus was a danger to those who were recklessly trying to get close to her. So this was a complex issue with no easy solution. In fact, I mention in this video that relocating the walrus would have been extremely difficult. Although, I do think an attempt to relocate her should have been made.

Ultimately, the Directorate said something that I very much agree with. That the fate of Freya the Walrus “was a collective failure. The public failed to heed warnings to stay away from the animal.” And I do believe the government failed to adequately protect this magnificent creature.

The walrus Freya had become a popular attraction in the heavily populated Oslo fjord, but despite warnings from the Norwegian Government, people were getting dangerously close to the 1,300-pound walrus, throwing objects at her, and even trying to swim with her. According to news sources linked below, there had been several dangerous encounters with Freya after the government's warnings were ignored. This tragically occurs all too often, where people harass wildlife and end up provoking aggressive behavior from the animals. In these cases, it is always the animal who pays the price for people's reckless actions.

The walruses who appear with me were born at the Aquarium du Quebec and I was lucky enough to help raise them as well as train them to participate in several research studies aimed at protecting their wild cousins.

Links, Sources, & Original Videos:
https://www.aftenposten.no/oslo/i/eE2z0Q/skjoet-freya-med-rifle-og-fraktet-henne-vekk-med-baat

https://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/i/28R5vr/disse-tiltakene-ble-vurderte-for-aa-redde-freya

https://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/freya-dode-momentant/76894000

https://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/i/v50gPB/her-blir-freya-slept-ut-fra-kai-i-frognerkilen

https://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/i/nW5gQL/biolog-mener-det-var-bra-at-freya-ble-avlivet

https://www.newsweek.com/it-bit-me-man-attacked-raccoon-wild-video-viral-tiktok-1726029

https://tv.vg.no/video/241746/se-foelg-hvalrossen-freya-minutt-for-minutt

https://globalnews.ca/news/9022425/freya-the-walrus-sinks-boats-norway/

https://www.nbcnews.com/video/sunbathing-walrus-sinks-boats-in-norway-142598725939

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/freya-the-walrus-norway-sinking-boats-rcna40174

https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2022-02-24/freya-the-walrus-has-been-spotted-again-after-northumberland-visit

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Music By
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Thirawatana - stock.adobe.com