Freya the walrus: Did she have to be euthanised?

Image source, Reuters

A 600 kilogram (94 stone) walrus, affectionately nicknamed "Freya", appeared near the capital city of Norway in July.

She became a local celebrity as videos of her scrambling onto boats went viral.

Less than a month after her first appearance, she was killed by the government for being a danger to the public.

Some people went as far as to accuse Norway of "murdering" the mammal, while an online campaign for a bronze statue has raised almost $24,000 in just a few days.

The prime minister of Norway has commented on the outrage, saying it was the right decision.

People are asking if she could have survived.

Over the last year she appeared to have embarked on a European tour, with her most likely starting in the northern part of the world.

There was a time when officials in Norway were worried that the walrus was attracting attention.

There were large crowds on the edge of the water. One kayaker described a "scary encounter" with an animal when she came too close to his vessel, while reports emerged of a woman chasing a woman into the water.

Image source, Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries

"Walruses are able to catch a seal between their front flippers and stab them to death, even if they are not predictable in their behavior," says Born.

There was a danger as the people got closer to the animal. It's pretty risky to have a half-tonne heavy walrus swimming among people.

walruses have been known to attack small boats and scuba divers.

The director of the zoo says that it's not surprising. Walruses don't usually come into contact with humans in remote areas. He pointed out that incidents are capable of causing serious damage.

The fisheries ministry made a similar decision. He said he would.

The blame doesn't lie with Freya, according to a Canadian marine mammal expert.

He questioned why common sense didn't prevail among the sightseers.

The unfortunate outcome was caused by everyone who crowded that animal.

Some people disagree that the risk should have led to her death.

Image source, Reuters

Fern Wickson, a professor at the Arctic University of Norway, believes that the risk was potential.

She says that the level of risk posed by Freya was not greater than what we are used to.

"That the government chose to take Freya's life rather than try to manage this potential risk through implementing more effective measures to manage the behavior of people was disappointing."

Members of the Institute of Marine Research were involved in discussions about a possible solution to the issue other than death by suicide.

The result was not good.

According to the I MR, experts advised against anesthetising Freya as she would most likely have sought safety in the water and drowned after the anaesthesia took effect.

The risk of trying to suck the animal out of the water would have come with it.

Extreme cases of death can be caused by capturing and moving wild animals.

The walrus's large size, limited access to blood vessels, and severe respiratory and circularity problems were all pointed out to the directorate by the large mammal.

The I MR considered putting a net under a boat in order to catch Freya.

The institute said that the walrus could easily become entangled in the net and drown.

The decision would have been to put an open top cage in the water with the top sticking out. It is possible that Freya could have been placed inside.

There wouldn't be much chance of the animal getting stuck under water or damaging the device if it had succeeded.

Image source, Getty Images

The final decision on Freya's fate was made after the IMR revealed that it didn't recommend a solution.

Due to the high risk of harming or killing her, it was not possible to relocate her. Growing crowds and ignoring warnings led to more situations where people could be hurt.

The behavior of the walrus has changed recently. Euthanasia was the correct measure according to the directorate.

"Freya posed a danger to the public and the public posed a danger to Freya," said Rod Downie, chief adviser for the WWF on polar regions.

Her journey isn't over.

The Norwegian Veterinary Institute will perform a post-mortem examination on the animal, which the I MR says could provide valuable information.

The walruses are listed as vulnerable. Several experts said that Freya's death won't have a big effect on the numbers.

The Atlantic walrus population is not at risk and the loss of this animal is not a concern according to Dr. Higdon.

There were more pressing issues that Prof. Bertelsen wanted to emphasize. Global warming and pollution of the sea are the bigger picture according to him.