Freya the walrus: Celeb mammal which was put down in Norway honoured with life-size sculpture

Apr 30, 2023 at 3:22 PM
Freya the walrus: Celeb mammal which was put down in Norway honoured with life-size sculpture

A 600kg walrus which discovered world fame for her antics within the Oslo fjord earlier than being put down has been honoured with a life-size sculpture.

Freya, named after the Norse goddess of magnificence and love, grew to become a preferred attraction in Norway after she clambered onto small boats to sunbathe and sunk them as she rested alongside the coast final summer time.

But in a transfer which sparked public outrage, she was later euthanised as a consequence of fears she posed a danger to people.

Walrus expert Rune Aae (L) and initiator Erik Holm (R) unveil a sculpture of the walrus Freya in Oslo, Norway. Pic: AP
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(L-R) Walrus knowledgeable Rune Aae and marketing campaign organiser Erik Holm unveiled the sculpture. Pic: AP
A rose is placed next to the sculpture of the walrus Freya in Oslo, Norway. Pic: AP
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Pic: AP

Fans had been warned to not get too near the 1,300lb mammal, and it was hoped she would ultimately go away of her personal accord.

However, authorities stated folks had not adopted suggestions to maintain a secure distance away from the large animal.

Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries stated there was evidence of people having thrown things at the walrus, bathed alongside her, and brought photos close to the sting of the water near her.

Now a bronze sculpture of Freya has been unveiled on the Oslo marina – not removed from the place she was seen stress-free through the summer time months of 2022.

The piece was created by Norwegian artist Astri Tonoian and was financed after a crowdfunding marketing campaign started final autumn, reported the NTB news company.

The non-public initiative had raised about 270,000 Norwegian kroner (£20,200) by October, NTB stated.

Freya the walrus in Frognerkilen bay, Norway, 20 July 2022 (issued 24 July 2022). The marine mammal has been damaging and often sinking small boats anchored along the Nordic coast after trying to get on and relax on them.
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Pic: Trond Reidar Teigen/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Freya the walrus in Frognerkilen bay, Norway, 20 July 2022 (issued 24 July 2022). The marine mammal has been damaging and often sinking small boats anchored along the Nordic coast after trying to get on and relax on them.
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Pic: Trond Reidar Teigen/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

After Freya was put down, the Blue Planet Society stated that “by any measure, killing Freya was absolutely the wrong decision by Norway”.

Pic: Norways' Directorate of Fisheries
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Pic: Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries

The head of the Directorate of Fisheries, Frank Bakke-Jensen, stated on the time that different choices have been thought-about for Freya, together with shifting her to a different place.

But it was determined that was not a viable possibility.

Walruses are a protected species and usually reside in herds within the Arctic, additional north.

It was thought that, in addition to being removed from her common habitat, Freya was additionally burdened as a result of she was not getting sufficient relaxation.