After it became known that the Directorate of Fisheries is considering euthanizing Freya, the MDG demands that the authorities find a solution which means that the walrus is allowed to live.
- NTB – Ole Henrik Tveten and Fredrik Moen Gabrielsen
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Updated just now
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The authorities’ recommendation is that you should stay away from the walrus to avoid stressing it, but because the public does not follow the recommendations, the Directorate of Fisheries has said that it may be appropriate to euthanize Freya.
– It is crazy that we discuss killing nature when it becomes inconvenient for us, says MDG deputy leader Ingrid Liland to NTB.
They demand that the case has a happy ending before Freya or people are injured – and ask Fisheries Minister Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran (Ap) to find alternatives to avoid euthanasia.
– We have good people in the Directorate of Fisheries and in the rest of the civil service who can find solutions that serve animal welfare and show respect for nature, says Liland.
The audience must help
The Directorate of Fisheries informs NTB that they are looking at solutions to protect both people and animals, and thus prevent dangerous situations from occurring.
– The public must help us with this, and the very best way to do that is to keep our distance. Observation and public information about keeping distance is the ongoing measure, says communications adviser Nadia Jdaini.
– Other measures that may be considered are relocation and culling. In order to euthanize, there must be a danger to life and health, says Jdaini.
The Directorate of Fisheries stated on Thursday that there have been several dangerous situations at the Kadettangen bathing area in Bærum this week, and that they have observed people throwing objects at her. They have also documented that people bathe with the walrus, and that they seek it out at the water’s edge, together with their children, to take pictures.
– The way Freya is treated exemplifies to a large extent how we treat animals and nature in several areas of society. We do not show the respect and understanding that nature and biodiversity need to be able to exist on their own terms, says the MDG deputy leader.
–– Will be a defeat
The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries says that there are sometimes large crowds of all ages, where everyone clearly deviates from the current recommendations to keep a distance.
– The fact that the walrus has become an attraction escalates the need for further measures. Our biggest fear is that people could get hurt, says Jdaini.
– It will be a defeat that shows that we are unable to control ourselves in the face of nature and wild animals, and I hope people are able to see that there are better solutions that safeguard biodiversity, respect for nature and basic animal welfare.
In recent months, Freya has been on both the east and west sides of Ytre Oslofjord. She was observed in Kragerø on 12 April and became a real celebrity a couple of months later when she settled in and relaxed in several leisure boats.
On 17 July she arrived in Oslo and has stayed in the area since.
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