Freya, a young 600kg female walrus, became a summer sensation in Norway as she had fun in the Oslo fjord and eventually damaged boats. After visiting England, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden, Freya decided to spend part of the summer in Norway. There, it became the highlight of the season as she boarded tour boats in the idyllic southern seaside town of Kragerø. And it has been doing the same in the capital’s waters since July 17.
The presence of mammals, normally living at latitudes further north of the Arctic, aroused the curiosity of the local population and attracted the attention of the press. Local newspaper Verdens Gang has even started broadcasting some moments from Freya’s life live on its website.
Between two great naps—a walrus can sleep up to 20 hours a day—Freya was filmed chasing a duck, attacking a swan, or, in many cases, napping on boats that were sinking under her own weight.
“The property damage is embarrassing, but that’s what happens with the presence of wild animals,” said Rolf Harald Jensen, director of the Fisheries Department, in an interview with TV2, citing the inflatable boat being subjected to the weight of the animal.
After considering the possibility of relocating Freya and even sacrificing her if she poses a danger to the population, the Norwegian authorities decided to let nature take its course.
“He is doing well, is eating, resting and appears to be in good shape,” Pesca’s management said on Monday. Said.
But officials insist they keep their distance and advise against swimming or canoeing near Freya, which is “not as peaceful as you can imagine relaxing”.
“A walrus normally poses no danger to humans as long as we keep a safe distance. But if disturbed and not getting enough rest, it can feel threatened and attack,” they say.
Being a protected species, the walrus feeds mainly on invertebrates such as mollusks, shrimp, crabs and small fish. Average adult weights are about one ton for a man and 700 kilograms for a woman.
source: Noticias
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