Some approach Freya the walrus because they are curious. Others do not know about the giant walrus in Indre Oslofjord. The message is clear: People must stay away from Freya. But no measures are in place.
20 July 2022 22:57
Last updated just now
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It could have gone wrong when a 17-year-old boy fell into the water close to Freya the walrus on Wednesday (see video below). Despite Freya’s celebrity status, not everyone has noticed that the walrus has taken up residence in Frognerkilen in recent days.
The 17-year-old was one of them. He was out on a paddleboard trip when he happened to lean on Freya.
– I saw Freya approaching the boy who was paddling, and ran towards him to warn. But Freya was faster than me. The boy saw Freya, was stunned and fell into the water, says boat owner in Frognerkilen Lene Ørnhoft.
She says that the boy was on holiday and didn’t know about Freya. The 17-year-old is not the only one who has come close to the giant walrus, which can be very dangerous.
But neither the police, fire service nor other administrative authorities that Aftenposten has spoken to have a plan for better security measures linked to the giant celebrity.
The case continues after the video.
Pants against kayak
Frognerkilen is a popular outdoor area with both a marina and a paddling club. Another person who has also unwittingly encountered Freya is competitive paddler Eivind Andreas Vold.
Vold was out paddling when he saw that many people had crowded together on land. He became curious and paddled closer.
Then Freya appeared.
– I mostly experienced it as funny here and there, but you get a little sloppy. It followed me, says Vold. He adds that it is important that people do not get too close.
– Afterwards, I read a bit, and realized that you should keep your distance. I think it can be more dangerous than I experienced then and there. I think it tried to climb onto the kayak, and then it had crushed it, says the paddler.
He has been competing in the US for the past week. Therefore he had not realized that the walrus was in Frognerkilen.
–Boat owner Lene Ørnhoft says she has had to say several times that people must stay away from Freya.
– I have warned several people who have come paddling in rubber boats and on paddle boards, who did not know that Freya was in the water here, she says.
Still others try to get close to the walrus. Ørnhoft has seen many boats in the water, which have sought out the walrus. You should definitely not do that, according to the authorities.
Possible to block area
Kathrine Ryeng is a veterinarian and researches animal welfare in marine mammals at the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research. She thus has a good understanding of the animals’ behaviour.
She says that the walrus would probably prefer to be by itself and do its own thing.
– She is here to eat. That is what she is concerned with, and she has no interest in seeking out people, she says.
Ryeng says that the walrus eats a couple of times a day and sleeps the rest of the time.
– It may well happen that the Directorate of Fisheries decides that they want to close certain ports. People should also move away from low boats, to save valuables, says Ryeng.
Some have advocated euthanizing Freya, but Ryeng doesn’t think that should be an option.
– We just have to accept that sometimes wild animals come to visit, she states.
Furthermore, the marine mammal researcher does not think Freya will stay in Frognerkilen for very long.
Meeting tomorrow
Administrative responsibility for Freya lies with the Directorate of Fisheries. On Thursday morning, they will have a meeting on how to handle the situation. This is what communications director Anette Aase says.
She emphasizes how important it is that people stay away from Freya.
– This is a free, wild animal that can be dangerous, she says.
According to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, “the state’s supervision of plants, fish, animals and foodstuffs”. the websites. But for now they are not connected to the Freya case.
– The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is not involved now, says press guard Lars Skjegstad to Aftenposten on Wednesday evening.
Refers to the Norwegian Environmental Agency
The fire brigade in Oslo has no plans to take any action for the time being either. This is what watch commander Ola Klakegg says.
– We leave her alone, and we think others should do the same, says Klakegg.
Aftenposten has also contacted the police in Oslo and asked if, for example, they have considered blocking off an area. They have not considered that.
– Basically, the Urban Environment Agency is responsible for this, and they can possibly contact us if they need help, says operations manager Sven Christian Lie.
Gerd Robsahm Kjørven, director of the Urban Environment Agency, writes in an SMS to Aftenposten that they have no opportunity to comment on the matter on Wednesday evening.
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