The internet is in mourning after news that the Norwegian Department of Fisheries has killed a local icon Freya, a walrus who rose to online fame for sinking boats in Oslo's harbor.
According to the Norwegian Department of Fisheries, Freya was put down after a number of "observed (sic) potentially dangerous situations," stating the decision was "made based on an overall assessment of the continued threat to human safety." The Department of Fisheries cited instances of people swimming along Freya, and calling her to shore for photo opportunities.
Big story in Norway this summer is a walrus we've named Freya has made it to our shores and is touring the country, laying around and sinking boats pic.twitter.com/rQolsxd88b
— Wild Geerters (@steinkobbe) July 19, 2022
Freya had gained much notoriety among the locals and was commonly pictured sitting on boats and swimming up to crowds of onlookers. The Norwegian authorities had warned people repeatedly to stay away from Freya, originally declaring that euthanasia was "out of the question." However after numerous instances of public negligence the Department of Fisheries of no other choice but to euthanize Freya.
Needless to say, the decision has greatly backfired.
They killed Freya the Walrus because 'people were getting to close to it' - literally just sums up the disgrace and audacity of humanity
— Joel Evans (@joeelevaans_) August 14, 2022
In memory of #Freya - the wandering Walrus that graced us here Shetland last winter.
— Hugh Harrop Wildlife (@HughHarrop) August 14, 2022
MURDERED today by the Directorate of Fisheries in #Norway because she was perceived as a "continued threat to human safety".
Abhorrent and unforgivable on every level. pic.twitter.com/Nu6z1qnIpl
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